KARACHI: Christmas celebrations started in the city with a midnight mass led by the archbishop of Karachi, Joseph Cardinal Coutts, at the St Patrick’s Cathedral here on Tuesday.

Following special prayers for the health of the sick and departed souls with both the English and Urdu choirs facing each other on either side of the decorated stage put up in the cathedral grounds singing hymns and sweet carols in between readings from the Bible there was plenty to ponder and reflect upon while listening to Joseph Cardinal Coutts’ sermon.

The decorative stars hanging from the tent poles glowed as they gently swayed in the cool breeze of the night, laden with lights and decorations a pretty little Christmas tree leaned slightly to one side as the cardinal pointed out that these days instead of reading scriptures and repenting during the four weeks of advent to remind of Jesus Christ’s birth, people are seen more engrossed and engaged in celebration and buying decorations and new clothes. “But have you ever gone to a birthday before the birth of a child?” he said.

‘You can use your inner light to light the path for others with your kindness and generosity’

Talking of decoration, he said that one should link it to oneself. He said that Pope Francis advised in his message to all Catholics to think of the Christmas tree as oneself. “It is an evergreen tree, withstanding all weathers and snowstorms. Similarly, we should also withstand all things and remain unchanged. The decorations on the tree are like values and virtues that help you remain unperturbed,” he said.

Talking about the Christmas bell, he again reminded the people at the mass to compare themselves to it. “You should also like the bell call and gather people and seek to unite with them,” he said.

Talking about the decorative lights, he said that it should be like a light in oneself that can be used to guide others. “You can use your inner light to light the path for others with your kindness and generosity,” he said.

“And you can be like the Christmas star when you have it in you to enlighten the lives of others who have lost their way and brighten their lives of those who are sad or in mourning.”

Talking about the choir and music in the church, he said that the music should be in one’s soul to be able to live in harmony with all. “We cannot remain in conflict. We should live in harmony with people with our surroundings, with nature, the trees, the flowers and all that the Earth has to offer,” he said. “But sadly,” he said, “we humans are in the habit of polluting the air and the sea by throwing plastic bags into it. It is not living in harmony,” he said.

Finally, he reminded everyone to be wise in their search for Jesus Christ like the three wise men. “I meet so many non-Christian friends and officials coming to wish me a happy Christmas and I find their words so meaningful. They seem to know more than us when they come to share joy and cheer on the occasion of celebration on the birth of Jesus Christ. They understand the true meaning of Christmas,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2018