Making sense of Christmas		Christmas can be a confusing time for many people. Often we have high hopes for the Christmas holiday, but we find it very stressful. There are so many pressures: rushing to buy gifts and their high cost, the stress of meeting relatives, or the opposite - feeling all alone. So sadly, Christmas is a time when problems come into our lives: debt, worry, loneliness, even suicide. (If these are problems for you, please go to our problem page.)
Somehow, it seems that there is something wrong. There is such a big contrast between the way the world spends Christmas, and the religious message which is almost forgotten. How can we make sense of Christmas today? Mohinder's true story suggests a way.
Taking the 'X' out of Xmas
Mohinder came to England from Punjab, India 26 years ago. He lives in Birmingham, England, with his wife and children, and works as a machine operator.
Whisky bottles
My friends and I stocked up with bottles of whisky and cans of beer well before the festive season, and then went from house to house getting drunk. That is how I used to spend my christmas. I knew it was celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus, but this did not mean much to me.
There had always been despair and frustration in our home. I was always arguing with my wife and there was no real peace or contentment in our lives. My ambition was to earn as much money as I could and get my five children married. I thought I was happy doing this, but deep down inside I was empty and unfulfilled.
My wife upset me Then about 14 years ago, my wife became a Christian and started attending a local church where the Bible was taught in both English and Punjabi. This really upset me because I thought she had embraced an English god and changed her culture.
My relatives used to ask me why she had turned to a white man's religion and left her own beliefs. Although I disliked what she had done, I started seeing changes in her life - she became honest in her ways and there was a reality in her faith.
It was not until 1994 that I too found the way to God. I realised what a terrible person I had been and how I had mistreated my wife, my family and other people. I had also cursed God. I realised that in God's view, my life was wrong: I needed to be right with Him and find His forgiveness.
Real fear I then began to suffer from real fear, and it was not until I turned my life over to Jesus Christ that I began to overcome this problem. I asked God to forgive me for all that I had done wrong, and that He would give me His power in my life to change me. I read that in the Bible that God promises to those who follow him, a spirit of love, power and a sound mind, not a spirit of fear. This became really true for me.
Christmas has now taken on a new meaning. There is now contentment and real joy in my heart, and there is peace in our home. We no longer argue and fight. Difficulties still come, but I know that Jesus is my friend, and He is able to help me through my problems. Even if I die, there is great hope because I will go to be with Jesus Christ. He can save and help all who trust Him, whether black, white or Asian. That is why Christmas with Christ is special.
How the West celebrates Christmas What do they eat in Latvia at Christmas? Who needs help anyway? Finding God's help in your life More true stories Exciting personal stories from around the world The problem advice page Real help for real problems Return to "Christmas around the world" SOON Online Magazine contents page The multi-language magazine, covering: Visiting Britain, learning English, problems, and much more. More Christmas links There are enough Christmas sites on the links below to take you till Christmas to read! Use your 'back button' to return to this page Christmas in Cyperspace More on the real meaning of Christmas. A top collection of stories, poems, classic literature, calendars, traditions and customs, music and carols, dramas, clipart and more. Searching for the meaning of Christmas Another very useful site with many links and lots of information on every part of Christmas. A large section on Christmas customs in many other countries.