The message of Christmas

‘Glory be to God in the highest and peace to men on earth’ was the Christmas message that was delivered. Since then baby Jesus has been called the Prince of Peace

By Leslie Peiris Wettasinha

The greatest event that took place in the world ever since it began to exist was the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem on Christmas day. So humble was the setting that even a Film Director preparing a set could not out do it. His birth which took place in this way, later came to shake the very foundations of the world splitting history in to two and causing the timing of events to be related to this birth. (e.g. B.C. before Christ and A.C. after Christ or A.D. the year of the Lord).

On the first Christmas night there was no room for Joseph and Mary at the Inn. They had to take lodging at a stable where animals were resting. Mary heavily laden with child would have rested her weary head on a haystack. She was exposed to the elements.  

To understand fully the meaning of Christmas, one has to come to a realisation as to who in fact was born that day. Then we see that it was the fulfilment of prophesies contained in the Old Testament that God will take human form and dwell amongst men, in theological terms known as the Incarnation

It was biting cold and it was midnight at Bethlehem. The birth was preceded by a message from heaven. That message was not given to the high and mighty of the time or to the prevailing religious hierarchy, but to the shepherds who were watching their flocks at night seated on the ground, when an Angel of the Lord came down and glory shown around. 

‘Glory be to God in the highest and peace to men on earth’ was the Christmas message that was delivered. Since then baby Jesus has been called the Prince of Peace. So widespread was the effect of this work that all men of goodwill throughout the world irrespective of their religious affiliations enjoyed the peace and joy of Christmas and joined in the celebrations.

To understand fully the meaning of Christmas, one has to come to a realisation as to who in fact was born that day. Then we see that it was the fulfilment of prophesies contained in the Old Testament that God will take human form and dwell amongst men, in theological terms known as the Incarnation. 

20 centuries have lapsed since that event and various practices came to be associated with Christmas, some of universal application such as mid night mass and others specific to each country. The Christmas card, the Christmas carol, Christmas tree and the crib etc. are some of the examples. 

There is a traditional belief among some western Christian countries that if a novena or vigil dating from the feast day of St. Andrew which falls on 30 November is kept up till midnight on Christmas day with an appropriate prayer, almighty God will grant the supplicants request in the name of Jesus. 

The prayer reads as follows: ‘Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. At that hour vouchsafe, oh my God to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of our saviour Jesus Christ and of His most Blessed Mother. Amen.’