Kew Asin Khing
Christmas is waving nearer and nearer, only a few weeks remain at hand to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. For the Christians, this is one of the most auspicious days, as we Christians accept, that on this day God had send his only begotten son Jesus, to heal the world from the clutches of sin. I belief this was God’s greatest gift ever given to save mankind. So every individual can/ may celebrate this day.
Vis-à-vis, I would like to share my view about the incident that took place last year (2004) in the Christmas month and that too right in front of my naked eyes (honestly speaking) the very incident struck me a lot. It compelled me to speak out in public. Let me narrate the incident. As I was standing inside the shop, around four to five guys appeared on the scene. They were collecting “Christmas donation”. One of the guys was wearing just a piece of cloth with good amount of cash that too openly in his hand (100 and 50 notes in dominance). May be, they were planning to organize Christmas programme for the general public. But the collection was 100 % forceful, at the shop where I was standing. And not to forget they said that they were collecting the amount for the respected “Town command”. I think, I don’t need to say which town command is functioning in Dimapur market area. For the kind information of the public, on the shop where I stood they asked for 100 Rs. (Conversation was actually done in Nagamese) and when the shop keeper said, ‘at present I don’t have the Cash. But surely I’ll give you when you (they) come back.’ Then one of the guys gave an instant reply in a split second. ‘We are coming from that side (may be from plaza bakery direction) and we are going towards this side (may be towards new market or S.B.I. area). And for this (100 Rs.) do we need to come back again? By hearing all this, it gave me enormous sense of pain as it was in the name of Christmas. See, what a disgraceful act was made against the will of God.
I also wonder whether such things are happening in other towns or areas, where forceful donation is imposed upon shopkeepers for the sake of Christmas celebration. If this is not practiced, thank God. And if it is so what a pain it adds again, “A humble silver coin is much worth than a proud gold coin” Also. “Humble service given by a layman has much worth, than a proud service given by a priest”. Therefore as Christians we need to know this otherwise even if we Celebrate, wasting lakhs and cores of rupees, it wi11 have no value in the eyes of God. God sees only the heart of man and not the unjust things done in his name. This is what, we need to remember.
Another development which is often seen is that, during the eve of Christmas, we see many Naga intoxicated revelers roaming around without knowing head and tail that Christ was born in a humble manger, there was no such party. But the irony is that, many people are polluting this holy day by celebrating it in their own ways; using and doing all the forbidden things. If you can’t bring one soul towards eternal path you also should not be a stumbling block for many. And if there is any such Christian, who does not know how to celebrate Christmas, one must ask the nearest Pastor / Priest available, to have the right knowledge about the way of celebrating Christmas. ( On this context ), I would also like to appeal to the “Town command” not to impose any such forced donation anywhere in near future rather go for Christmas carol by singing hymns or any such Gospel songs to glorify the birth of Jesus, “the prince of Peace”.
In conclusion, I would like to call upon all my fellow Christians to celebrate Christmas in the most dignified way. For many families it’s a reunion day. Like wise, it should also be a, reunion day for everyone, regardless of any such mistakes or wrong doings against each other otherwise it will be only a mechanical celebration, I mean, “Christmask celebration”.
Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year to all the citizens.
