Christmas has always held a special place in my heart. It’s a time for love, celebration, and reflection. I was born on Christmas Day, 25th December, to a simple and loving family. My parents, Marriayappa and Hellean Mary, worked hard to support us, and love was always at the center of our home. I wasn’t born alone—God sent me a twin, Jaswanth Christy, as my lifelong companion. Together, we grew up in a world full of warmth, with Christmas always being a magical time for us.
During our childhood in a boarding school in Mysore, Karnataka, Christmas meant more than just decorations and gifts—it was a time to reflect on the deeper meaning of love and connection. We wanted this Christmas to be different. We longed to surprise our parents with a meaningful gift to show our appreciation for their love and sacrifices. We discussed ideas and decided to create simple yet heartfelt gifts.
The plan was set. We pooled our resources, put our creativity to work, and prepared thoughtful presents. As the day to head home for the holidays approached, excitement filled the air. But in my haste to pull the gift from the bag, it slipped from my hand and fell to the floor. The beautiful glass menagerie, with a picture of our family, shattered.
I was devastated. Our heartfelt gift had broken, and our efforts seemed wasted. But when we presented the broken gift to our parents, their reaction was nothing like I expected. They hugged us tightly and kissed our foreheads, reassuring us that the love behind the gift was what mattered most. The gift was broken, but not the love that bound us. In that moment, I realized Christmas is truly about love—the love God showed us by sending His only Son and the love we share with those closest to us.
Sch Jayanth Christy SJ
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