Christmas Greetings
and a Happy New Year
Dinesh K Kapila
Christmas Greetings and A Happy
New Year. Stay Blessed and Happy. Enjoy the warmth of your families and the
spirit of a deep happiness which it triggers. Forget the petty differences and
quarrels and reach out.
As always, and as someone asked
me, why am I wishing greetings on Christmas. Yes, as a Hindu by faith, culture
and inclination, this is a relevant query, if one can say so. It’s not an
objection per se, but more philosophical in intent. Well, to actually think it
over, the closest I feel with my background and faith is Sikhism and then of
course Jainism and Buddhism. But then
there are certain factors, firstly the Christian Branch of my family. That is
of course one very important consideration. Add to it having studied in Convent
Schools, this is only natural. Then Dad was in the Army, it’s a done thing to
celebrate all festivals there, as also where I have worked all my life, even if
the predominant numbers are from another faith.
Lastly and equally important, why
should I not wish and extend greetings on this day. It’s my right and wish, not
that anyone is actually objecting, let me clarify, but I am simply stating it. Any
query being deemed superfluous. It’s a nice festive day and one can remember
one’s own faith and extend greetings to one and all. Then we Punjabis are quite
adept at adopting varied customs and cultures. And feel happy and cheerful
about it.
But, and that is a big But, for
me, it’s also a part of the overall festival season extending from around
Janamashthami and extending through Deepavali to Guru Nanak’s Birthday and then
ending with Christmas. In some regions it would include Eid too. One can extend
it to New Year too, if one is so inclined. The country, or rather, the part of
the vast country where I live and belong to, remains infused with this festive spirit
all through these months. And the markets keep the spirit going with sales and
celebrations. It sort of creates a warm happy feeling. Contrary to dire
predictions and debates, the average citizens are quietly going about their
work and progressing and seek to enjoy life on such occasions.
To exchange greetings and extend
festive wishes is uplifting and a feel good factor. It lifts your own spirits
and hopes and aspirations. And it rekindles the desire and drive to be ethical
and conform to a perception of living a good person’s life. That is good for society too and for all
classes. I still remember my son once wished a parking attendant Merry
Christmas and A Happy New Year and the young attendant got emotional and said
that my son was the only person to have wished him or to have returned his
greetings on a biting cold sunless day. I drew a deep insight from this, about
human nature and the need to always reach out and to try and trigger the good
side of us humans. This is very important. It’s easy to be cynical and negative
about human nature in this world and justifiably so, but then life cannot be
lived as a cynical person, Be on guard and don’t be fooled but equally tap the
good side too. I as always subscribe to the middle path for making one’s way
through the myriad pathways of life.
I know I am drifting off, but
similarly, I do listen to the summary of scriptures. Not all and yes a summary,
and honestly because the wife listens, by default I do too. God Channel, Guru,
Aastha, PTC etc I listen to many. Jains, Hindus, Christians, some confused
souls running programmes without knowing what they are peddling, it’s all
rather confusing. But what stands out normally and is common across all
channels and faiths is the need to lead a good clean life, the need to prepare
for the next life or after life, the essence is actually the same. I find it
quite clear that the need to prepare to face the consequences after passing
through this stage of life, to put it straight, for the post death stage, is quite common. So one can buy a sort of insurance
by being a good person in this life and following the precepts and teachings of
one’s faith.
But and very important, nobody
and absolutely, nobody has the right to deem his or her faith or school of
faith above any other faith. This has to be implicitly and explicitly accepted
and understood. Be loyal to one’s own without impinging on the other’s right to
his or her faith. Do not comment or disparage the concepts and rituals of
another faith. We must realise that certain myths and mystical episodes are a
given in every religion and thus just accept the same in your own and every
faith and lead a good clean life. This is important to maintain social harmony
too.
Now a friend pointed out that he
did not believe in the after life or the next life or any version of a place
for sinners or the good guys. If you are so inclined, why did you even read
this till now. Seriously, even if an atheist, I would maintain we need to
exchange greetings and retain the warm feelings, in fact we must a lead a good life for making our
own due contribution to the building of a better world. To stay positive, to
have a faith in our uniqueness as human beings and to engage in the quest for a
better world, we do need a faith in a Higher Power. If not by a faith or
religion, then by believing in the power of good deeds, a good character and by
living by a code of ethics.
I would add here, a good citizen
is also being inherent in being an ethical person and leading a good life. The
micro definitions need not be demanded or debated, but just be a good citizen
too.
Christmas, well to me, as I read in
the stories and magazines, it’s the same as the primary religious festival of
any major faith, families getting together, praying together, reiterating their
faith in themselves and their God, thanking the One Above for His Blessings and
atleast on this day putting their stresses and pains aside for a get together.
It gives hope and mental sustenance to many and lets them build a resolve to
face up to the uncertain future. It even enables families and friends to build
bridges and address vital gaps in many divided families or friendships. The
Happy Ones are privileged to renew their faith and to realise their being so
blessed on this occasion. It renews
spiritually and mentally for the future. As I said, at it’s essence this
is the core of all major religious festivals.
2019 is just around this weekend.
A year gone, a year upon us, for the romantic, a tremendous day, for the
rational, just the turning over of a page. But this again is a renewal of
faith. Now across faiths, this is accepted as a common element, it’s logical.
It enables planning and a certain logical order. We can set aside all regrets and
sadness on the 31st and hope and pray for a better year. We can state
that My Almighty, as per your faith, you Blessed me through this year, I seek
and pray for your continued blessings next year too. Bless me with the strength
to face up to the negative events and to enjoy and stay happy while basking in positivity
on the good days.
So enjoy, stay happy, wish your
near and dear the best in life, pray for a better future and stay positive minded.
Christmas Greetings and a Happy New
Year.
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