CHRISTMAS A TIME OF PEACE AND JOY

Christmas, commemorates the greatest act of god's love for man. This tremendous reality which fills our heart with an unusual happiness at this festival season, and this is why all christians, both rich and poor, unite to rejoice and make others happy. The celebration of the feast of Christmas should be an occasion for for all of us to imitiate the example of the Child Jesus in the crib and practice the virtue of humility and simplicity. We must try our

best to uplift the poor and the marginalized so that they too can enjoy the freedom of the children of God. May the birth of Jesus bring peace and justice to the world. History credits St.Francis of Assisi with bringing about a new interest in songs by developing a style of religious folk songs called "lauda" got mixed together with both the secular and the religious. During the 12th Century St. Francis of Assisi formally introduced Christmas Carols to the church services. The news of the birth of Christ certaintly brought tidings of great joy to the world at large that even today: thousands honour Jesus and rejoice in there salvation. But as many of us who go a long with the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas and join in singing out greetings and gift to friends and loved ones and go a long with the Celebrations of the Season some never ask themself who Jesus really is or why he came into this world. They don't think of their responsibility to believe in Him and to receive Him as their savour. Are you one among the indifferent? Instead let us think of Christmas as the time to ponder about the deeper spritual meaning of Christmas and how giving gifts to your loved ones serves as a reminder of when God gave mankind the ultimate gift of His son on Christmas Day.   Most.rev.Dr.Bernard Moras Archbishop of Bangalore   Archbishop House