The church calendar brings us to yet another season of Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word `adventus ´meaning "coming". It is a season observed by the Christian churches as a time of expectant, waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is significant that we also observe the World AIDS day within the context of the Advent. The world AIDS day is observed and an important moment of 'kairos' or opportunity, when faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals around the world bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic and emphasize the critical need for a committed, meaningful and response.
This year the global theme for the World AIDS day in 2010 is "Universal Access and Human Rights". This will guide the World AIDS campaign and will call for a deepening our understanding on the rights issues while calling for a campaign to develop partnerships to challenge discriminatory laws and practices that impedes the access for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. As churches we are directed to recognize our responsibilities to work to promote human dignity and respect. There is also an important need to protect the human rights of people living with or affected by HIV, and those who are vulnerable to infection.
While the world focuses on the global human rights perspectives, we are called to seek to respond to these challenges as a Christian community to inspire our members for a thoughtful and meaningful response within the context of Advent.
For the Christian church, the advent is a time of celebration, to prepare for the coming of Jesus who was born in a manger, also deprived of basic human rights to dignity and health. We prepare to receive the baby Jesus who was born in the context of poverty, hunger and homelessness. Jesus was received into this world by the lowly and the oppressed. The message of the baby Jesus was clear. Brings Joy and hope to the world of the oppressed.
The light of Christmas symbolized by the many stars which led to the manger is a direction to break the darkness of apathy, ignorance, hopelessness and despair. The light which our fore mothers and fathers saw was to dispel the darkness, darkness of discrimination and exclusiveness.
In Isaiah 5: 5, we read about the way lights has dispelled the darkness's of the day. Isaiah says “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard." The light of Christmas heals and liberates as well as lights the Rights of all whose rights have been violated by our immature judgmental faith, practices, stigma and beliefs.
This Advent we are called to light for the right and receive the coming Lord of hope and liberation. People living with HIV and other AIDS related challenges have seriously reduced their ability to be productive, to fend for themselves and for their families. It can limit their energy levels and ability to work and earn money to buy food and sustain their families. At the community level, the people living with HIV and AIDS are twice discriminated on the basis of labor force and limit agricultural output and socially excluded and discriminated on the scenario of community life.
When we look to celebrating Christmas we are called to be the agents to point to life, life for all and life in all its fullness. This is the very essence of the Advent season. God’s word is now fulfilled in the presence of the baby Jesus and this baby bids us - one and all; sick and hearty, hungry and full - come! Come to share in the challenges and joy of life. While we stand around the Christmas tree or the manger scene in our homes and churches, it should ignite the spark within you to stand for the rights of all in this world.
As a matter of our solidarity and commitment we are invited to dim the lights in the churches at the time of our Advent liturgy to signify the devastating effect that AIDS has had on us all, for a brief moment of prayer and reflection. For Liturgical Resources visit this link:http://www.nccindia.in/resources/view.htm?no=174
We cannot celebrate Advent without the light that liberates all form oppression. Light one for the Right of a positive person. As the Church we need to be in solidarity with the people living with HIV/AIDS. May our Advent candles be lit for life, life for all and life in all its fullness.