Christmas: The Scandal of Jesus Turned into a Party of the Idol Worshipers
Jesus was anti-ritual and hypocritical religiosity. He did not seek his popularity based on what he consumed, with whom he associated, and on his academic credentials. He did not know where his next meal would come from and where he would sleep the night. He based his hope of survival on solidarity with fellow humans and God.
by Jude Fernando-
( January 3, 2018, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Celebrating Christmas during my adult life is one of the most troubling things I do. I hate to be at Christmas parties and to give gifts. Often, I am not sure what I mean when I say, “Merry Christmas.” Seeing the beggars in front of the church, when I walked in and out of the Church on Christmas Service made me feel guilty and hopeless. This is feeling I experience every year after Christmas service. I fear such sentiments have become normalized in my consciousness, and they seem to have not much impact beyond my intellectual domain. Paradoxically, (thanks to my friends) Christmas also continues to be a time of reflection that gives me hope. I was thrilled to listen to Haitian priest’s sermon. It was powerful and full of hope, and it inspired me to write this message.
