Christmas is in the air for many of us, with festivities, decorations, carols, pageants, etc. But these do not obscure the realities of death, devastation, and displacement caused by violent conflicts, especially causing large-scale suffering for many. The rape of women as a tactic and the murder of infants are the most shameful and horrendous realities that continue unabated. We see people being displaced and living in unconducive relief camps. Scenes of people living in freezing fear and panic under the shadow of terror and the cries of especially frightened children grieving and mourning rise from every corner.
It is in this context that Christmas enters, streaming rays of hope and heralding the message of peace on earth and goodwill toward all of humanity.
As God’s creation, humans are sacredly made in God’s own image, and yet we are caught up in battlefields in different parts of the world. Even as we read this message, men, women, children and many innocent people may be losing their lives in conflict zones all over the world. We empathize with those who are lamenting as they are wounded and abused. They are longing for justice and peace. What does Christmas mean in this context?
The conflict in Manipur has drawn global attention because of the more than a year-long conflict, which has inflicted serious harm on all people alike. It is time that people in this conflict zone are protected from further violence. It is time that a more responsive system of governance is ushered in so as to bring about a permanent ceasefire and the dawn of dialogue instead of any imposed solutions. Peace can be experienced only if all citizens take responsibility – both dominant and minority groups. We implore our national leaders, especially the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and all the honorable elected members, to garner the political will to de-escalate tensions and the horrific acts of hatred and terrorism as witnessed in Manipur. We appeal for a fair agenda with equal access for all to justice, looking beyond the boundaries of race, caste, ethnicity, gender, region and religion.
Peace is the core teaching of all religions. May our churches and all religious communities become more vocal against aggression and injustices in the region of conflict and be the voice for peace and reconciliation. May the prophetic perspective of the churches transcend race, tribe, ethnicity, class or national identity markers and move towards building peace founded on justice because God’s law is love and the crux of the Gospel is peace.
In Christ’s birth, we find hope that comes with Emanuel – God with us (Matthew 1:4). It signifies humility. God incarnates amidst humans in humility. Christmas brings thus hope for a ruined humanity, hope of pardon, and hope of peace. There is hope to make this world a place where bitterness and strife, revenge, and division between communities if all humans practice humility. In humility, Jesus forgave, upheld diversity, embraced truth, and practiced love. There is hope among warring communities if we commit to practicing justice, love, appreciate diversity, and forgive one another. Anger, revenge and arms culture bring more wars and pain. There is hope that peace will have a chance when we learn to lay down our arms and step into the path of peaceful dialogue and constructive collaboration with all humility and love of one another.
Peace is the essence of Christmas. Christ came to bring peace to the world and every human being. Let us GIVE PEACE A CHANCE this Christmas!
~ Alemla Longchar