The real essence of Christmas

Christmas is around the corner and a few days from now we would be observing the feast of the Nativity. However, many of us are worried that because of the coronavirus pandemic we won't be able to celebrate Christmas as we usually or customarily do.

Social gatherings are taboo and limited to members of the family and a few friends only to avoid the spread of the virus. The restriction should not be a cause of dismay for this is done for the good of all.

If we ponder deeply into the real essence of Christmas we would have to recall the never-ending story of birth of a child in a faraway place called Bethlehem, wrapped in  swaddling clothes and laid on a manger.

This had happened more than two thousand years ago but we never tire of recalling the incident because by Christ birth we are once again reconciled with our Creator and Heaven's door which was closed because of sin is once again open and mankind's birthright as heirs of heaven is restored.

Parties and social gatherings are only an offshoot of happiness that emanates from the hearts of the faithful overjoyed because of the birth of the promised Redeemer. That's what matters most.