Recently some of my posts featured Attila the Hun and Jesus Christ, among other subjects. They both in the end conquered the World. Attila did it by force – evoking the violence of hordes of Huns. Christ attained it by love. Indeed, Christianity of Christ is a faith for all occasions. It not only teaches one to be courageous in darker times but also to be happy wisely.

At this fag-end of the year 2024, I appreciatively focus on this Christmastime and the brotherhood and some festivities associated with it. In fact, one of the great vital principles of Christianity is the brotherhood of all humanity. As I write this now, it’s the Christmas Eve – by and large, a time of gaiety and good cheer. Only few hours remaining for the event made known by the Bible, viz. Virgin Mary brought forth her first-born son and wrapped him up in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger… ushering in the Christmas Day!

There existed a custom which exalted a child born at Christmas as fortunate in life and never see a ghostie as long as that child lived. At the same time, there was another belief that those born on a Christmas Eve cannot see spirits to the end of their days and do not require holly and mistletoe as guardians against evil. On the whole, majority of superstitions and omens related to Christmas belong to a happy nature.

Born on January 18, I qualify as a Capricornian (those born between December 22 and January 20). I have heard that Capricorn is related to the most elevated point in the heavens and perhaps the best known sign of all those in the Zodiac. Part of the reason is based on the statistic that it is during the reigning period of Capricorn; millions of people all over the world could avail the opportunity to pay homage to the most famous birthday of all — the glorious birthday of the Baby Jesus on December 25 – born in Bethlehem of Judah, in the days of King Herod.

Perchance, it is this affinity which explains the innate religious trait in most Capricornians even though oft-times such a trait is unrealised or unconscious.

In general, Christmas is a grand time for getting together, for meeting new ones and greeting old friends. Behind all the merriment, there’s an inherent significance in Christmas: Peace on Earth — Goodwill to Men. Such is the message of Jesus, and that is the spirit that underlies a genuine Christmas celebration. Jo

(©Joseph Sébastine/Manningtree Archive)