Mariah sits in her snow covered patio preparing her list for this Christmas, she is 15 and has been writing a list of wishes since she was 5 years old, her parents had given her the habit of making it clear what she wants, his way there are no disappointments.

Mariah has an i-pod, a mobile, new Nikes and a digital camera, she writes 12 mega-pixel and crosses it out to replace and write the new Mac but still can't make up her mind.
As a child she's been taught that is for Christmas is for gifts and this is the only time except for her birthday that she will get anything she desires without ever talking about budget and reminding her of her pocket money.

As a child she watches her parents put 10$ into the donation box every Sunday at church and sub-consciously she is made to believe that her contribution to charity or helping an poor is limited to her dad's weekly donation. Mariah's parents have never taught her that the spirit ofChristmas is not material things rather a festival of sharing and helping an underprivileged person.

Many may argue, that we work very hard and our satisfaction is in buying gifts for our children and seeing them happy, I'm not criticizing that at all and I support that argument but as Christians we have additional responsibilities too.

Remember, even Christ was born in a manger without any luxuries, he was born poor, he lived life as a carpenter. His wealth was his faith in the Almighty Lord.Jesus was angry when stalls were laid out in front of the synagogues and it was turned to a market, aren't we doing the same with Christmas?

We go to one midnight mass and prepare and waste the excess food and sweets we've made, do we think about those that may not have a meal a day?

Just celebrating Christmas and having Christmas parties does not make us Christians. Christians in the West have adapted the most lame traditions by hanging a mistletoe and kissing under it- what does Christmas have to do with these silly traditions.

According to a survey 2 out of 10 (twelve to fifteen year old) could name all the reindeer and knew Santa came from the Northpole. They could not name the 12 disciples and did not know where Jesus was born.What a shame.

Have we forgotten what Christmas is?
Have we made it too commercial?
Are we teaching our Children the meaning of sharing?
Do we spend $500 on our Christmas shopping, clothes, parties and $10 in the donation box?
Do we teach our children more about Santa rather than the importance of bringing happiness to an underprivileged person?
Do we teach our children, that if you have received $100, donate $20 of his/her money.

What is the Spirit of Christmas ?
Where is the Spirit of Christmas ?

New Articles

Psychology of Persecuted Christians in Pakistan (Naeem Harry)

Pakistan is going through a serious moral turmoil, and Pakistani Christians are being targeted in this moral and spiritual turmoil. The continuous persecution of Christians in Pakistan is making them suffer from many psychological dis-eases. This moral turmoil is also making them suffer from spiritual distress. Their questions needs to be answered, if not answered they need to be listened, so that they are able to explore their emotional and spiritual pains.
Read full detail ...

Matriarchal Society of Harrapa and Pakistan (Naeem Harry)

Between the years 3000 BC and 1500 BC, a unique civilization flourished in the Indus Valley that covered an area larger than modern Pakistan. This was an empire called the Harappan Empire whose people were called Dravidians. The major cities were Harappa and Mohanjodaro whose features were unique for those days because they included well- planned brick streets, drainage and large baths for ritual cleaning. Housing varied from two-room structures to large two-storied houses with courtyards.
Read full detail ...

Reflection: - Empowering the Youth (Friar Bernard Y Bhatti OFM)

I firmly believe that the youth have a great role to play in any country, nation. It does not matter what they are, what language, color, or geographical background they come from. They have the power, energy, and potential to change and to transform their world for better or for worse.
Read full detail ...

Divided we fall (Nasir Saeed)

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said recently that relations between the US and Pakistan had reached a turning point after the killing of Osama bin Laden and that Pakistan needed to take “decisive” steps in the days ahead to fight terrorism. As always, Pakistan is confused and divided on this and many other issues which need our urgent attention as we seek to take solid steps to resolve them. These issues have become a chronic disease but unfortunately, almost without realising, we have become involved in a blame-game and the rest of the world is looking at us amid increasing trust deficit.
Read full detail ...

Governor's murder deepens fears of Pakistani Christians (Michael Georgy)

To understand why Pakistani Christians feel so threatened by growing Muslim extremism in their country, speak to the uniformed police guard at the jail where a Christian woman is on death row, accused of blasphemy.
Read full detail ...