Been a Christian all your life and never knew what it meant to be a "True Christian"? This Christmas season, discover what it means to be true to the Holy and faithful God who created you...

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, And they shall call His name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us." St. Matthew [1:23] quotes this verse from the book of Isaiah [7:14], which was the message given by God through the prophet Isaiah, 800 years before Jesus' birth. This prophecy was fulfilled with the birth of Christ on Christmas day. God became man and lived with man. Christmas brings a message of happiness, hope, courage and love, because God is with us. If God is with us, then whom shall we be afraid of.

Cruelty, enmity, hatred, selfishness, deceitfulness, pleasure seeking and other self-aggrandizing values are the features of today's modern society. Everyday, we see acts of terrorism, murder, kidnapping, plundering and deteriorating family values. This has led to an erosion of moral responsibilities and values in today's materialistic world. The waves of western culture have been stirring the minds of young people as well as elders. Influence of the visual media has become powerful; excessive consumerism fueled by advertisements has conquered the minds of common man. The influence of consumerism has spread widely into the realm of spirituality too. Many are trying to misuse spiritual activities with profit as a motive. The main thought that captures the human mind is the profit or benefit that one can get in all commercial transactions. In spiritual activities also, man is looking for his own profit for his betterment and this is the main downfall facing Christianity today.

It is very essential for the modern Christian mind to understand that sacrifice is the essential aspect of Christianity. Jesus sacrificed His life for the salvation of mankind. Every Christian should live a life of sacrifice; only then can one become a true Christian. Every Christian should be aware of his mission in this world of being a true Christian. So, one question that comes to mind is, "Does one need to move with the normal flow of this society or have any special role to transform the society?" St. paul answered the question like this: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." [Romans 12:2]

Certain Christians in this world act like milk in water; milk in water may change the color of the water but also loses its quality. Instead of transforming the society, many Christians identify with the world by being seduced by it. Certain others act like oil in water, which does not mix with water. These type of Christians do not like to share their resources or qualities with anyone and act like watertight compartments as they shut their door to the people in need.

Their personal safety and security is more important to them and they end up being a curse to the Church. Another group of people are like burning coal in the coal furnace. When a light breeze blows over the burning coal, it makes all the coal in the furnace burn brightly. The wind of Holy Spirit, which is always blowing over the Church, will enable Christians to transform the world, provided we are aware and accept the qualities of fire from the Holy Spirit. Burning coal is a metaphor. It is not easy for us to burn ourselves and through us, inspire others to burn. Can we take risk of burning ourselves for Church? Only then will our mission on earth of being a true Christian become meaningful! Let this message inspire you in the season of Christmas. Wish you a blessed Christmas.

(Rev. Fr. C. A. Isac is currently the Vicar of the St. Thomas orthodox Cathedral, Chennai.)

[Courtesy to GREGORIAN]