The Uncertainty Principle is no longer limited to physics and quantum mechanics. It seems to have pervaded all of human existence; be it personal relationships, politics or the environment.
There are three events in a person’s life that are poetically referred to as hatches (birth), matches (marriage) and despatches (death). It is natural to feel sorrowful at a person’s death, and given the high rate of divorce, there is an element of uncertainty associated with any marriage, be it a sacramental one, a nikah or a shubh muhurat (auspicious time). The only event that usually evokes undiluted joy and hope is the birth of a child. As Rabindra Nath Tagore said, every child that comes into this world is a sign of hope.
For those awaiting the coming of the Messiah, the birth of Jesus in a manger outside Bethlehem was a sign of hope, joy and peace. That is why the firmament proclaimed “Glory to God in the highest and peace to people on earth”. Who does not want peace in a strife torn world and a human psyche dwarfed by the uncertainty principle?
Yet there were some who actually resented this harbinger of peace. It is easy to point fingers at King Herod who felt threatened by the birth of the King of the Jews. Like Pilate the Roman Governor, and Caiphas the high priest 33 years later, they did not know that his kingdom was not of this world. For them, in Jesus’ own words, he brought not peace but division and the sword. It seems absurd that the Prince of Peace would also simultaneously be an agent of division and violence.
It is for this reason that the aging Simeon had prophesied when he laid eyes on the infant Jesus at the presentation in the Temple, that he would be a sign of contradiction. I prefer to use the term “contra-indication”. For Herod, Pilate, Caiphas and their ilk, he was a threat that needed to be eliminated at the earliest.
This Christmas we must again make a choice. If we believe in peace, fraternity, liberty and justice we are for Jesus, and have every right to celebrate Christmas. If not we are like Herod, who felt threatened and slayed innocent children. Cards, carols, cribs and cakes are irrelevant if we make the wrong choice.
DECEMBER 2016
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