It's Christmas time in troubled times

Today is Christmas Day and it is not just Christians the world over who celebrate the day Jesus Christ was born, it is also a festive time for non-Christians who would respect the occasion. One can see how religious fanaticism has enveloped the Western world and the widely debated 'Crisis of Civilization' has gripped global attention, and how age-old 'holy wars' that marked European history are repeating themselves.

In some Islamic nations, radical elements have declared Jihad (holy war) against the Christian West partly due to the bloody wars that have been inflicted upon themselves by the West exploiting sectarian differences and indulging in power struggles between oil rich West Asian states, one supporting the West, the other anti-West.

Fortunately, Sri Lanka has been insulated from such intra-religious and inter-religious violence to a great extent, even though some Western Governments and NGOs that do not see the beam in their own eyes are all too eager to preach about racial and religious persecution in this country.

This is not to say that external -- and internal -- elements are not already at work to light a fire in Sri Lanka. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

Unfortunately, an artificial tree is diverting people from what is truly relevant about this holy day. The universal message of the Christ Child, the Son of God born in a lowly stable is one of love and peace to all people. The Bible in Luke’s Gospel tells of the angels who appeared to the humble shepherds to give them the good news that will bring great joy to all. “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord”.

Even as Christians worship in churches this Christmas morn and families and friends gather at home, they are asked to share and care for the less fortunate: the poor, the oppressed, the hungry, the weak and the homeless. That is the true spirit of Christmas.