Peace to all and Om Shanti

The so-called “silly” season is upon all of us. But is it really so silly? Surely Christmas is truly and foremost a time to live the word of Christ, His life and teachings? Why has it become common practice now to take religion out of Christmas? Why are so many greeting cards headed with the words “Season’s Greetings” and not Merry Christmas, which was the norm in previous times?
No person of any faith should or would object in glorifying Christ during this period and I speak as a committed Hindu by birth, faith and worship. We live in a multiracial, multilingual and multi-faith country and not a multiracial, no-religion society. Of course there are atheists, but that is a minority. And the key to our collective happiness is mutual respect. More or less 80% of South Africans are practising Christians (in spite of various traditional and cultural diversity).
But the biggest complaint of all is the madness that invades all-year-round/sane people during this time; the shopping that has become of paramount importance and the buying of gifts for all and sundry. Mothers drag their children from shop to shop and among all this mayhem, one hears the sounds of Christmas carols blasting your eardrums – is anyone listening or paying attention to the beautiful words that are timeless and synonymous with the beauty of Christmas?
People are worshipping at the shrine of consumerism and running away from religion. Secularists scorn religion as a crutch and feel that only science opens the door to freedom, tolerance and a better world. But this is a very unbalanced view. Some of the worst intolerances in history have been irreligious, for example China, Soviet Union, Nazi Germany. Man’s inhumanity to man and the atrocities committed were intolerable and unthinkable. But as long as the human race persists, there will be religion – religion gives us a code to live by which helps us become better people.
Christ stands for love, peace, compassion, tolerance, humility, gratitude etc – something shared by all faiths. Christmas is also about family time, togetherness, eating and praying together and enjoying all that the Creator has bestowed on us.
Let us not forget the needy, the homeless, the orphans – spare a moment or whatever one can afford and give generously. Let us unite during Christmas and try our best to help our fellow humans. This commonality should unite us all, whether it is Christmas or not – this is true Spiritual Intelligence. It signifies that we have served a Higher Power.
With the world presently suffering endless turmoil with all the terrorist activities, the numerous natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, starvation, drought etc), surely one can pause during this season and enjoy this festive period and celebrate with all the Christians all over the world and live the word of Christ. How great will that be!
Speaking as a non-Christian, I enjoy all that Christmas and Christ stands for – Om Shanti (Peace to All). Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year!

THIRU MOODLEY (DR)
Ballito