In Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, Christians, Mus lims, Hindus, and Sikhs practice their religious beliefs. Our languages, foods, and our cultures are somewhat similar to each other. Eid and Diwali were celebrated in October. Now Christmas is coming in December. All these special days are beautiful and meaningful for every religion.

What is Christmas? It is not decorations, shopping, or toys. It has a very special meaning. Santa Claus and the Christmas tree are not even mentioned in the Holy Bible. These are just different ways to celebrate. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birth who is our Lord and savior.

Jesus was born to a virgin Jewish girl whose name was Mary. The Angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph. The Angel said to Mary "Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God, and you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and His name will be Jesus." Mary said to the angel "how can this be, since I am a virgin?" and the angel of God said "The Holy Spirit (God's own Spirit) will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be Holy; He will be called The Son of God. And He will deliver mankind from their sins."

Since He was born of God's spirit, He is called the Son of God like all of us who are born of our parents are called their sons and daughters. Jesus is Holy and that is the reason that He is not a sinner. He is compassionate. He is the great healer. He performed miracles, raised the dead. His teachings are different than anyone else's. He said do not Judge so that you may not be judged. When you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you. He said that he who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart, which means that when we think of sin it makes us unclean.

The things that come out of our mouth, those thoughts are already in our hearts and that make us unclean. He said do not go to the Alter if you are angry with your brother. Forgive your brother, love your enemies and pray for them. Do not take revenge, leave it to God. He gave us two commandments: 1. Love your God with all your heart and soul, and 2. Love your neighbor as thyself. He asked us to love one another. He said how can you love a God that you have not seen and not love one another or those you have seen?

He never fought a battle but he conquered the world with His message of love and compassion. When we love our fellowmen without judging them, without the difference of religious beliefs, then we love God. Spirituality to me is the personal relationship with our God and loving our fellowmen He has created from His own image. Men and women - God created them equal. God is our heavenly father, and our creator. He is not the God of law and Commandments only, but He is God of love, and God is love. Loving and respecting each other is the key to peace. Christmas is the celebration of God's love to mankind. Giving gifts to each other is a sign of God's gift to us who believe in Jesus Christ as our savior and Lord. Merry Christmas to each and every one of you - Jesus cares for the whole world. May God bless all of us in the coming year and bring peace to the world.