“From Celebration to Transformation”

Christmas Message 2025

A few days ago, a world-famous Argentine footballer, Lionel Messi, visited India for a short period. His arrival created a great impact across the country. Television channels, newspapers, and social media spoke only about his visit. It was a grand celebration — meetings with politicians, photo sessions with celebrities, and massive public events. Huge sums of money (they tell about 500 crores) were spent to host and celebrate a global icon for just a few days.

At the same time, Sunil Chhetri, one of India’s greatest football legends, stood silently on the sidelines. A player who has brought pride to our nation for decades, who has been among the top goal scorers in international football, remained largely unnoticed. He was asked to wear Messi’s jersey, and he stood at the corner of the stadium, forgotten. This fact reveals a painful truth for me about Strong Xmas message: we often celebrate fame more than faithfulness, glamour more than gratitude, popularity more than perseverance.

This incident invites us to pause and reflect on our own celebrations — especially our celebration of Christmas.

Sometimes, Christmas too risks becoming a grand event: bright lights, expensive decorations, shopping, parties, carols and social media displays. We celebrate Christmas everywhere — except where it truly matters: in our hearts. I am not telling you not to celebrate Christmas itself, but never forget its purpose.

The purpose of Messi’s visit was to inspire local footballers and ignite a deeper love for the Football game. Likewise, the purpose of Christmas is not merely to showup our gifts, but to transform lives. The birth of Jesus is not meant to remain a beautiful story or a yearly ritual. It is an invitation for change — to recognize Christ not only in the crib, but in the poor, the forgotten, the wounded, and the unnoticed people around us.

Jesus is born not in palaces, but in a manger. Not among famous players, celebrities, politicians, but among shepherds. Not in noise, but in silence. Christmas reminds us that God chooses simplicity over show, love over luxury, and humility over hype.

This Christmas, let us ask ourselves:

• Are we celebrating Jesus, or only Christmas?
• Are we welcoming Christ into our homes, or only decorating our houses?
• Are we touched by His birth, or merely entertained by the festival?

May this Christmas 2025 move us from celebration to transformation, from external glitter to inner grace, from gifts under the tree to Christ in the heart.

Let the real miracle of Christmas happen within us — where Jesus is truly born, lives, and changes us.

Merry Christmas and a transformed New Year 2026.