Christmas || Discovering the Miracle within Us || In Conversation Anupama with Sunita

Ponderings by Anupama 

Series: Inspiring Lessons from Spirituality - IL3

John 3:16 : "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

One of the greatest joys in my life is having attended the wonderful St. Ursula's High School, a Swiss missionary school in my hometown, Nigdi, Pune. As the enchanting Christmas season approaches, memories of my school days flood my mind. From crafting the crib in the classroom to the delightful Christmas carols and the charming Christmas play in the school auditorium, to the heartwarming Christmas mass and the heartfelt wishes that marked our upbringing!

The Season of Christmas evokes such a nostalgic feeling, enveloping us in an atmosphere of pure joy and happiness. Homes, shops, and malls are adorned with festive decorations and twinkling lights, creating a magical ambiance that spreads throughout the surroundings. Every year for me this festival brings in a fresh breath to closure of the year and gearing up to welcome the new… a call to hit that pause button, take time from our ‘busyness’ to reflect and look within ourselves, and prepare for an enriching year ahead.    

I consider myself blessed to have Sunita Fernandes, who adds significant depth to our work, bringing with her profound discussions and reflections.  As she prepared to celebrate the festival, we engaged on the deeper essence of Christmas. Swiftly taking cue from Wikipedia, we discovered that the word Christmas that was originally recorded as Crīstesmæsse in 1038 and Cristes-messe in 1131, is a shortened form of 'Christ's Mass'.  

In the course of our discussions, Sunita beautifully articulated a statement that prompted us to contemplate the entire essence of Christmas. Referring to the Bible, she pointed out that Jesus was born in human form to a simple woman Mary.  Giving up his divine nature, he chose a humble stable as his birthplace in the midst of ordinary shepherds who were given the good news of God’s kingdom by an angel.  

Luke 2:14 (NIV): "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Pondering further, capturing here the essence of our deliberations:

Matthew 23:12 (NIV): "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

From Divinity to Humanity: Embodying Humility at the core of our values. Jesus gave up the title of royalty to be at the service of people.

Me: Sunita, I can't help but reflect on the powerful lesson this thought we've deliberated on  about the transformative journey from divinity to humanity, like the narrative of Jesus giving up royalty to serve. It's such a poignant reminder, especially for those in positions of authority, to consider the impact of their roles and power. 

Sunita: Absolutely. It's incredible how people in higher authority can get so caught up in their positions that they lose sight of how it affects others.

Me: Yes, and humility plays such a crucial role. The narrative of Jesus emphasizes setting aside ego and pride, treating everyone with respect, regardless of social standing. It got me thinking about leaders who embody humility; they become true role models.

Sunita: True, and their ability to inspire and motivate others comes from a genuine concern for everyone's well-being. Shifting the focus from self to others creates an inclusive environment that fosters collaboration and unity.

Me: Those leaders who consciously embrace humility indeed cultivate a collaborative spirit. It's remarkable how their teams exude this spirit, while others have a long way to go. We are seeing such a mixed bag of leaders who depict both these dimensions…..

Sunita: So true, Anupama. Let’s capture how we can become catalysts for such leaders in their transformation journey with this thought process.

Me: Absolutely Sunita. For us, voicing this learning about Christmas is that true leadership isn't about accumulating power for personal gain but uplifting others, is a great reminder for the way we handhold leaders. Humble leaders recognize the dignity in every individual, creating a culture of mutual respect.

Sunita: And that shift from self-centered ambitions to genuine concern for others not only strengthens relationships but opens doors to collective growth. Christmas, for us, is a season not just of celebration but introspection and meaningful transformation.

Me: Sunita, it truly takes courage to embody humility and strength to be a continuous seeker of learning, don't you think?

Sunita: Definitely. It's a journey worth taking, and I believe it will make a significant impact not just on us but on those around us.

As we jotted our thoughts further, the arrival of the three kings with gifts, following the north star, pre-occupied our discussions, and from which came our next take-away….

 

Acts 20:35 (NIV): "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

The Sheer Joy of Giving... Blessings through your life

Sunita: This depiction of the Three Kings bearing gifts…. Does leave us with a deep learning. Every festival, brings with its plethora of gifting as a part of the celebrations, and so it is with Christmas. The joy of giving, the smile that you see on the receiver is such a fulfilling feeling. Makes me think on the essence of giving and receiving—how it's not just about the joy of giving but also the pleasure of receiving. Generosity truly becomes a way of life.

Me: Absolutely. It's a beautiful concept. You give, and in turn, you receive so much more.

 

And it got me pondering about how, as humans, we're constantly receiving things without fully grasping it. Like the air we breathe or the wisdom and knowledge that come our way, often beyond our control.

 

Sunita: It's true; we often take so much for granted. But then, the central theme of Christmas, the gift of Jesus, really emphasizes the importance of giving and gifting.

 

Me: Exactly. And it's not just about materialistic gifts; it's about giving of ourselves. We can offer our time, kindness, appreciation, positive words, motivation, skills, guidance—so many things.

 

Sunita: That's such a powerful idea. Giving helps us learn and grow as we share our gifts with others. For instance, as a team leader, spending a few minutes connecting with the team, listening, empathizing, and asking for feedback can make a significant impact.

 

Me: Absolutely. And nurturing these small acts of kindness can create an environment of joy. It's about gifting not just tangible items but intangibles that make a real difference.

 

Sunita: So true. It's amazing how such simple gestures can have a profound effect, creating a positive and joyful atmosphere for everyone involved.

 

Me: It makes me think about how we can incorporate these principles not just during Christmas but as a part of our everyday lives.

 

Sunita: That's the beauty of it. If we make generosity and giving a way of life, it becomes a continuous source of joy for everyone, including ourselves.

And as much as we cherish the act of giving, let's also appreciate and respect what we are receiving especially in the beautiful gift of life, cherishing and treasuring it, all the while ensuring that we pay it forward — continuing the cycle of giving and sharing the blessings we've received.

And our thoughts on giving, took us on the joyous ride with Santa Claus! Just the thought of our childhood belief in the real Santa, discovering our parents playing the wonderful role, hanging the red stocking… both of us concurred, that a deeper thought that Santa leaves with us is to do the magic of giving with anonymity! Whose Santa are you in your life? Generosity without a name …. … …  and who have been those Santa’s in our life to have been receiving such wonderful abundance of blessings… ….  We take this Christmas to pay our respects to all the Santa’s in our lives!

And then we got chatting the divine life of Jesus, our reflections brought us to the adversities that Mary, Joseph, and Jesus Christ faced, it's incredible to see the resilience they demonstrated — nothing deterred them from their life's purpose.

James 1:12 (NIV): "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

Resilience to deliver our Purpose of Life. Make meaning out of our existence

Sunita: Their journey is truly a remarkable tale of facing adversities and overcoming challenges.

Me: Yes dear, it’s inspiring, gives me goosebumps the more we are reminded of it,…. Makes me reflect on how, as individuals, we all face challenges. Cultivating resilience is key, standing strong and overcoming whatever comes our way.

Sunita: That's so true. Resilience is crucial, and it's not something we can develop alone. It requires everyone to be involved, supporting each other through the storms. We've experienced it firsthand — our inner strength, belief in our actions with commitment to better the situation, our daughters' resilience, and the support from family, friends, and well-wishers. 

Me: Exactly…. they didn't give up. It's a lesson for us as individuals to bravely face stay on our path no matter whatever comes our way especially when we know that the path chosen is the right one….

Sunita: Navigate through challenges with courage, confidence and commitment. Turning difficulties into opportunities ….  we are emerging stronger, wiser, and more meaningful in our lives.

Me: It's a powerful concept — the idea that challenges can be those stepping stones for personal development is truly powerful. It makes me appreciate the strength and resilience we can cultivate in ourselves, and that has maybe the reason for all the challenges that we have been put through! It’s a gift for us… I resonate your thought - we are truly emerging stronger, wiser, and more meaningful in our lives.

 

Our delightful conversations extended beyond the sumptuous lunch, flowing seamlessly into the afternoon, as we indulged in reflections on the enchanting festival of Christmas.

More than the unwrapping of presents, Christmas is a profound act of opening our hearts to the warmth, love and care bestowed upon us by our near and dear ones.

We embrace humility and gratitude, fortified by the with the Power of Prayers, creating space for miracles to unfold, invoking the power that lies within us.

A time to reaffirm our faith in the Gift of Life, infusing every moment with meaning, renewing our commitment to be life long learners.

Feeling the power of making miracles deep within each one of us, making the seemingly impossible entirely achievable.

Together, in prayer, we extend our wishes for his joyous season to continually inspire us all. May this season lead us to discover the miracles within, encouraging us to joyfully unwrap the gifts we possess and share that joy generously with others.