Time of Contradictions

Carlos Madrazo – Indonesia The year 2005 is one of many contradictions and disasters- both man-made and those that the laws of nature wrought upon us. When we celebrate Christmas, we too must remember that Christ came at a time of contradictions.

The year 2005 is one of many contradictions and disasters- both man-made and those that the laws of nature wrought upon us. When we celebrate Christmas, we too must remember that Christ came at a time of contradictions.

The time to commemorate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth comes to us once a year. We are following almost a 2,000-year tradition of sharing something that comes from within us rather than one that we give even grudgingly because we feel obligated. Those who share something from the heart consider the season as Christmas and those who give because they must considers the season as Xmas.

The year 2005 is one of many contradictions and disasters- both man-made and those that the laws of nature wrought upon us. We heard and saw leaders around the world -government, religious, as well as administrators and managers of organizations – make statements and did exactly almost the opposite. Also, we heard and saw the cries of victims of the Asian tsunami, Pakistan earthquakes, Katrina and subsequent hurricanes in the United States and the Caribbean and more recently in Iran on our radio and television sets.

Many of us responded in sharing whatever we could afford-our time, efforts, and savings as well as prayers.

We protested many of the man-made statements and acts of unwanted wars going on in Afghanistan and Iraq and yet we hailed and said our prayers for men and women in harms way. Some of us protested against the ambition of organizations in their attempt to grow themselves globally to establish dominance in the economies of other societies and yet we liked the idea of purchasing the things they sell to us that are within the reach of our limited pocket books; the clothing we wear, the shoes we walk with, the digital cameras we use to make rare moments in our life memories more vivid and so forth.

When we celebrate Christmas, we too must remember that Christ came at a time of contradictions. People then expected a messiah who was big and strong as Atlas and yet a baby came who looked helpless yet lovable. But just as the Wise men from the East did, they come to His manger to share what was in their hearts.

It was a time too when politicians, religious and other leaders made contradictions or fools of themselves as expense of peoples’ lives and sacrifices. Just as it is today, most of them were consumed with the thought of how important they are and what hollow recognition and respect as well wealth they can accumulate for themselves. 

As such Christmas is really all about what is pure in our thoughts and hearts as we share ourselves with others whom we do not know and treasure the love and concerns of our families and friends that helps nourish our Spirit. Christmas is also about our conscience as we interact with people and do our tasks which in essence is about our relationship with God.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2005 to you.
THE MADRAZO FAMILY of Federal Way,
Washington-Silversity, Josh; Quezon City Eunice,
Raymond, Leslie, Hannah, Sarah, Caleb Espia and
Tomohon, Indonesia – Carlos,Jr.

Carlos Madrazo is a missionary with the GMIM Synod of the Evangelical Church in Indonesia.  He serves as a development worker.