On a pleasant December evening, I was sitting in the lobby of a five-star hotel in Karachi, thoughtfully gazing at the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in front of me. The glow of lights, soothing music, and festive colours felt delightful when suddenly a thought crossed my mind: What topic will I write about this Christmas?
The glittering Christmas tree in the hotel lobby held my attention when, all of a sudden, a wave of memories rushed through my heart and mind. December, Christmas, childhood, and the village—all appeared before my eyes like a golden memory. Every year, I tried to make Christmas as beautiful, simple, and memorable as it was in my childhood, yet I could never again feel the same joy, happiness, and warmth that childhood Christmases once brought.
When I moved from the village to the city of Karachi, the world had completely changed. Now, as soon as December begins, Christmas celebrations start in the city, whereas in our village, the entire month was spent preparing for Christmas. The arrival of winter, cleaning and decorating homes, welcoming guests, worship, prayers, and spiritual preparation—all went hand in hand. There, the preparation was not merely external but also of the heart and soul.
In the city, alongside the glitter of celebrations, the true meaning and purpose of Christmas often fade into the background. To some extent, this festival has become a corporate season where Christmas trees, Santa Claus, gifts, decorations, and traditional symbols are present, yet the true spirit and message of Christmas grow dim. Undoubtedly, Christmas is a great spiritual day, but beyond that, its social and moral dimensions make it a universal festival—one that delivers a message of love, peace, tolerance, and humanity.
Two thousand years ago, the birth of Jesus Christ also took place in circumstances marked by chaos, despair, personal ego, power politics, and rigid religiosity. The voice of the common person had been suppressed, and the light of hope was growing faint. Today, in 2025, while celebrating Christmas, a question stands before us: Does this good news still give us new hope today?
Humanity’s greatest enemies have become ego, narcissism, and personality worship. The message of Christmas draws us out of individualism toward the collective betterment
Does our world truly understand the real message of Christmas?
Do our attitudes, words, character, and thoughts reflect this message?
This article revolves around these questions and this very aspect—that Christmas is not just a day, but a profound and meaningful message; a journey from individualism and materialism toward humanity and spirituality. It teaches us to share our joys with others and to help those facing difficulties. When a person limits themselves only to their own self, they ultimately confine their own existence.
It should be remembered that the greatest message of Christmas is the magnificent gift of divine mercy and love given for humanity. This message repeatedly reminds us that our Creator loves us immensely despite our human weaknesses and spiritual shortcomings. This love manifests in our daily lives through divine closeness, expressed in gratitude, patience, and hope.
From Individualism to Humanity
In the present era, humanity’s greatest enemies have become ego, narcissism, and personality worship. The message of Christmas draws us out of individualism toward the collective betterment and welfare of humanity. It invites us to move beyond self-centeredness and open our hearts, time, and resources for others. In an age where people rarely think of anyone’s progress except their own—where personal interest is prioritised even within families, relationships, and institutions—Christmas calls us back to a culture of humanity, love, and collective good.
From Materialism to Spirituality
Over the past few years, excessive use of social media and the growing trend of outward display—especially in our society—have dangerously intensified materialism. As a result, humanity is drifting further away from spirituality in the race for material success. This blessed time of Christmas offers us an opportunity to reassess our spiritual lives and remember that while living in this world, we should never trade our souls merely for material gain. True success lies in spiritual balance and inner peace.
From Darkness to Light
Christmas illuminates humanity with divine light and guides travellers moving from darkness toward light. It reminds us that we are pilgrims in this world and that our true destination is a spiritual reality. During this earthly journey, we must never forget our hereafter, our moral responsibilities. Christmas urges us to distance ourselves from negative behaviours, dark thoughts, and misleading habits—such as jealousy, hatred, selfishness, and apathy—so that we may light the lamps of love, peace, and hope.
Walking Toward Humility
Christmas inclines us away from false and temporary ego toward humility and gentleness. It encourages us to stay away from arrogance, pride, and self-obsession, and to adopt humility in our character and conduct. Christmas reminds us that true greatness does not lie in power, wealth, or fame, but in humility, service, and love.
From Ego to the Path of Goodness
Unfortunately, we live in a society and culture where wrongdoing is seldom acknowledged as evil, and self-accountability has become difficult. Instead of admitting mistakes, people justify them. Christmas is a blessed opportunity that invites us to seriously examine our lives and to take a U-turn from paths that are harmful to our personal, family, and spiritual lives.
Fulfilling Divine Purpose
Christmas does not confine us merely to fulfilling our human desires; rather, it reminds us to recognise and fulfil the divine purpose of our lives. This purpose is achieved by improving the lives of others through help and cooperation, becoming better human beings and responsible citizens. When we live according to our life’s purpose, not only do we find well-being, but those around us—and our Creator—are pleased with us. This gives a person the strength to seek and fulfil a greater purpose.
From Selfishness to Divine Will
Christmas delivers a fundamental and eternal message of human life: selfishness always leads a person toward destruction, harming not only themselves but others as well. Human survival lies not in selfishness but in understanding and following divine will. True salvation and success are hidden in this path. Today’s human being is lonely, weak, and troubled largely because of self-centeredness. This is the test of moving from selfishness to the fulfilment of divine will.
Seeking Growth in Simplicity
While today’s human being suffers from countless problems and pressures, they also experience restlessness due to unnecessary comparisons, excessive self-display, and ostentation. Christmas offers an opportunity to seek growth in simplicity. It grants us the pursuit of seeing the world not through human eyes, but through the gaze of the Most Merciful. Many people abandon simplicity in the race for progress, which is essentially turning away from divine peace and true comfort in life.
God’s Love in the Light of the Heart
Christmas teaches us to seek God’s love not in the artificial lights of the world, but in the lamp of our own hearts. It invites us to find God’s pleasure in serving our neighbours and to live our lives guided by divine light rather than selfish wisdom. Christmas is not about taking joys, things, and gifts—it is about giving; about losing one’s ego and discovering life’s true purpose. It is an opportunity for inner awakening and spiritual preparation beyond outward preparation, display, and rituals.
Christmas teaches us to see a human being not through human judgment, but through the eye of faith. It urges us to embrace one another on the basis of humanity, love, and sincerity—beyond colour, caste, religion, race, status, and background. Let us, this Christmas, move beyond our prejudices, limited thinking, and inherited assumptions, and embrace one another wholeheartedly, exchanging Christmas greetings with love and sincerity. Wishing you a very Happy Christmas.