Christmas is an occasion celebrated by many people including non-Christians. It is the religious event that is most celebrated, and celebrated by the most number of non-believers. It is a fact that many merrily celebrate the day without observing the true reason.

“That the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Today’s second reading)

Today is the Ephiphany of our Lord. Three wise men journeyed from the East to pay homage to the Christ Child. It signified that Christ is born not only for the chosen people but for the Gentiles as well. It signifies that Christ is good not only for believers but non-believers too.

Christ was born to dwell amongst all Man. He is very much in the lives of non-believers too. When we want to look for him we journey like the three wise men except that we journey internally into our being where he already dwells.

We journey along our life paths, taking a closer look at things that had happened to us. Some were painful, some were joyful. We look again at the people we have met, and who are part of our lives. Together they have shaped us and led us like a journey to where we are in life today. But where is the God who dwells in us?

The journey of life is full of ups and down. The bumps cause us to hurt. We do not remain always happy. Retribution or revenge are the wrong balms. To bounce back into happiness we must look deeper into forgiveness and reconciliation and apply them. It is in them where we find God.

Every time we forgive and reconcile we take a step in life’s journey to find healing and peace. As we close this Christmas season, let us journey into our past and unlock those hidden hurts and start on the journey of forgiveness. It is the promised path to true happiness. Cross it and see the Christ Child.

Love is sourced from God. Love is humble, freely and unconditionally given. She does not demand homage, even when we celebrate Christmas without wanting to recognise the Christ Child. He generously dwells in us all the same.

He indulges everyone, non-believers too, in the merriment of the season and patiently wait for us to have our personal epiphany. Yes love, she is patient too.

Epiphany of the Lord