Pamedicap
Fr Paul Melwyn D'Souza
Dec 24: A “word” has incredible power in our lives. When perfectly timed, a word lifts us up, makes us laugh, brings joy and comfort. A word when misdirected breaks us down, creates pain and insecurity. Words come and they stay. In the exponential advancement in communication technology some words have become more of usage and popular. In the year 1985 the most popular word was “Internet.” In 1997 it was “google.” In 2006 “Tweeter [tweet] was word of the year. In 2013, the word “selfie” made it into the official Oxford dictionary. In fact, “selfie” was the “word of the year 2013.”
We live in the culture of “selfie”. A selfie is a self-portrait which is then posted over the Internet or on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Whatsapp and other technology media. These sites reveal that clicking photos of ourselves has become increasingly popular. We can instantly show the world what we are doing, what we are cooking, eating, and wearing. There are many who do that on a constant rate and speed. We want the world really see us. In reality one is trying to say: this is what I look like; this is what I do; this is my identity. Our actions and decision are made on the basis how they will be viewed and perceived by the other. It is as if technology trains us to say daily, “Look at my face! I’m here! I’m important! I really matter. At its root, selfie is nothing new. Thanks to media and technology now we have the means of broadcasting what has been a fundamental human desire: to be loved and paid attention to. The selfie is simply the digital version of what we desire.
If God took a selfie of Himself how would it look like? Unlike human “selfies” that get beamed up to satellites in the heavens, God’s “selfie” comes down from the heavens. This heavenly “selfie” is transported not through some electronic devise, but rather through the flesh and blood of a baby born in a Bethlehem manger. This then is the mystery of Christmas: God’s selfless selfie comes in the form a human child, born on this earth, revealing to us a down to earth God who is with us in the muck of the stable as much as in the exhilaration of heavenly worship. He is Jesus, Immanuel God with us.
In the mystery of Christmas Jesus the Word became human being and lived among us (Jn 1: 14). He is the image of the invisible God (Col.1:15). He reflects the brightness of God’s glory and is the exact likeness of God’s own being (Heb 1:3). God did not take His selfie associated with famous people, exotic places and stunning backgrounds. He did it in the darkness of night to bring Light. He did in the atmosphere of death to bring Life. He did it in the greatest poverty, hunger, thirst, heat and cold, insults and offences to bring redemption and salvation.
His searching for shelter was indeed a way of the Cross. He came into his own – but his own people did not receive him. Bethlehem became a Mount Olives where Jesus the Lord and in a special way Mary and Joseph as well suffered an agony. The stable of Bethlehem became Golgotha where Jesus felt the wood of the Cross. In the incarnation began also His passion by way of refusal of Messiah in Bethlehem, by way of prophesy of Simeon and the flight to escape Herod’s fury to Egypt.
Rulers like Herod wanted the death of Jesus when He was just an infant. Now rulers and authorities are seriously pondering to prevent the very celebration of Christmas on 25 December. Jesus the selfless selfie of God is worthy of praise, adoration and celebration. Let this Christmas 2014 again gives us an opportunity to fathom God’s love in Jesus who as God’s perfect image says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Come to me ‘I am the bread of life’ and I will give rest and peace. How oft we get caught up in all crazy stuff during Christmas. Let us make little time amidst Christmas bazaar to ponder the mystery of Christmas and say “We adore you Jesus, Come and dwell in our hearts and homes”.
How beautiful indeed it is when the season of spiritual happiness does not take over by superficial celebration. How joyous it is when love, service, respect are not taken over by consumption, corruption and hatred. Jesus the Lord, Ruler of rulers bless and enlightened law makers with wisdom to create a good governance to begin with and then to dedicate a day to remember it.