An interview with the secretary of the Hakha Christian Minister’s Fellowship.
November 29th, 2021
Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th. Christmas is a Christian holy day that marks the birth of Jesus. In the Christmas period, the Christians usually celebrate Christmas on a grand scale by decorations at churches, roads, towns and villages, singing of songs at houses and serving the people with food.
But this year, some Christian organizations issued statements, calling for donations to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) rather than holding the festival on a grand scale.
The Hakha Christian Minister’s Fellowship has requested the people to avoid making decorations at the churches and wards and gatherings during the Christmas period in Hakha of Chin State.
The KMG asked Rev. Dr. Stephen Lian Hup Ling, Secretary of the Hakha Christian Minister’s Fellowship about it.
Q: I have heard the news that the upcoming Christmas festival shall not be held in Hakha. Why? Can you explain about it?
A: Houses are burned down in Htantalan, Falam and Mindat Townships of Chin State. Chin families are taking shelter in other places. They feel sad. The celebration of the Christmas festival is not suitable at this crucial juncture in Hakha as the IDPs, those who have lost their houses, those hiding in the forests are in trouble. In our statement, we will not make decorations at churches, roads and houses. For that, we have no other purpose. We must share the same grief with those who feel sad.
Q: How do you spend this year’s Christmas period?
A: Christians will celebrate the Christmas festival only with their family members. We will say a Christmas prayer. Our association shall not celebrate it in groups. We have a plan to hold the family prayers. For instance, my family will say a prayer and happily welcome Jesus Christ in my house.
Q: Is the Christmas festival skipped only in downtown Hakha? How about the situations in other townships?
A: Our statement is only applied to Hakha. It is not intended for other townships. Relevant organizations shall make our decisions.
Q: To what extent is the Christmas festival important for Chin Christians?
A: It is very important. Christmas is the day to commemorate the Birth of Jesus Christ. But Christmas is not a funfair for us. That’s why, our Hakha Christian Minister’s Fellowship issued a statement. This year, our decorations aim to welcome Jesus Chirst. We have Christmas dinners and sing songs. It is the silence when Jesus Christ, the Savior comes. The celebration of Christmas is not suitable when the IDPs, those whose houses were burned down, those hiding in the forests and our brothers are facing desperate plights.
Q: How did you celebrate the Christmas festival in the previous year?
A: In the past, we made Christmas decorations in the whole Hakha. Decorations were made on roads, at junctions and churches, the Hakha Christian Minister’s Fellowship issued a statement saying that this year’s celebration of Christmas is not suitable.
Q: Chin State sees increased deployments. Many houses including the churches were burned down in Htantalan Township. The township sees the rising number of IDPs. What do you want to say about these situations?
A: I don’t want to give any comments on it.
Q: Do you have anything to add?
A: I have nothing to add. This year, we will not celebrate the Christmas festival. We will celebrate the Christmas festival in our minds. Christmas is not the festivity. We can celebrate Christmas by happily welcoming Jesus Christ from our minds. This is the Christmas we say a prayer to Jesus Christ for those who feel sorry.
Sent by the KMG.
