Opinion

Christmas Roots and Hearts Aglow:

Published

1 year ago

2024/12/25

Sahan Weerasooriya

Rekindling Faith, Peace, and Love Below…!

(Practical Tips for Christmas Bliss)

by Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Eymard Fernando

Bishop’s House, Kurunegala.

In an increasingly and incredibly materialised and commercialised world today, the core meaning of Christmas often seems distorted, being overshadowed by consumerism, bustling sales, and extravagant festivities. Yet, at its heart, Christmas is a season meant for reflection, change, love, and unity – a time when people gather to celebrate gratitude and generosity centred around the Divine Baby. As we explore the roots of Christmas and what it can mean for us in today’s world, we uncover themes of faith, hope, peace, and kindness that transcend religious boundaries, reminding us of the true purpose and value of God becoming man.

Therefore, let us delve a little into the origins and deeper significance of Christmas, exploring ways to return to these roots through themes of generosity, togetherness, and humility. By rediscovering these essential values, we can certainly celebrate Christmas as a season that brings light and life to our world.

A Season of Faith and Reflection

Christmas has its origins in the Birth of Jesus Christ, a moment celebrated by Christians as the arrival of hope and salvation. However, even beyond its religious significance, Christmas season has become a time when many reflect on themes of love, hope, and renewal. The story of the Nativity conveys universal values: humility, peace, and the power of hope.

The Birth of Jesus in a humble manger represents a profound lesson about simplicity and compassion. As theologian Henri Nouwen noted, “Jesus was born in the least expected place to the least expected people in the least expected way.” This simplicity, intertwined with humility, challenges the commercialised image of Christmas today. Instead of focusing on luxury and excess, the roots of Christmas invite us to value the simple, meaningful aspects of life: faith, family, and fraternity.

In today’s world, we can return to these roots by setting aside time for personal reflection during Christmas. Practising gratitude, being mindful of those less fortunate, and reaching out to loved ones are all different ways we can honour the spiritual foundation of Christmas. Thus, we all can benefit from a moment of stillness and introspection during this busy time of the year.

The Spirit of Generosity and Compassion

Christmas has always been a season of sharing, inspired by the gifts of the Magi to the Christ- Child and later, Saint Nicholas’ acts of charity as santa claus. However, the tradition of sharing has gradually shifted from simple acts of kindness to an intense focus on material gifts. According to American sociologist Juliet Schor, “We give to show love, but in a culture that equates love with spending, our giving has been commercialized.”

However, in recent years, a shift towards alternative, meaningful sharing has gained momentum in the form of a worthy ‘retromarch’. Many individuals and families now choose to give to charity in a loved one’s name or to offer experiences rather than material goods. This form of sharing very much aligns with the true spirit of Christmas, embodying generosity without extravagance.

Likewise, local initiatives, such as community food drives and clothing and toy collections, have become popular ways to give back. Participating in these efforts allows people to connect with others in their communities, creating a shared sense of purpose and compassion. As Mother Teresa famously said, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” By focusing mainly on the intention behind our gifts, we can bring the spirit of Christmas alive in our own hearts and communities. However, the magic of Christmas is not very much in presents and parties, but in His Presence!

Family and Togetherness: A Time for Connection

The Christmas season is often one of the few times in the year when families come together, setting aside time to reconnect, reflect, and celebrate. This emphasis on togetherness is deeply rooted in the season’s traditions, dating back to ancient winter solstice festivals where communities gathered to share warmth and light during the darkest days of the year.

In modern times, when families may be dispersed across cities or even continents, Christmas remains a crucial opportunity to reconnect. This communal emphasis shows how Christmas, regardless of religious affiliations, has become a unifying tradition centred on family.

Simple traditions – like sharing a meal, decorating a Christmas tree, or singing carols together – allow families to pause, connect, and create memories. These rituals not only strengthen family bonds but also convey the essence of Christmas for younger generations. As American author Richard Paul Evans, best known for his inspirational and heartfelt novels says, “The smells, tastes, and sounds of Christmas are the roots that nurture a family tree.” By focusing on togetherness, Christmas serves as a reminder of the love and connection that sustain us all throughout the New Year.

Peace on Earth: Seeking Unity in This Divided World

One of the most significant messages of Christmas is the call for ‘Peace on Earth’. Yet, today’s world is marked by political, social, cultural, economic and various other divisions, making the pursuit of peace and unity more relevant than ever before. From the hymn ‘Silent Night’ to the angels’ proclamation of peace, Christmas has long symbolized hope in times of conflict.

A poignant historical example of Christmas promoting peace is the Christmas Truce of 1914, during World War I. British and German soldiers, entrenched on the Western Front, laid down their arms on Christmas Eve to exchange greetings, sing carols, and share small gifts. This unexpected truce, though brief, reminded soldiers of their shared humanity amidst the horrors of war. It symbolised the power of Christmas to transcend differences and bring people together, even during a time of darkness and death.

Today, peace-oriented traditions continue to play an important role during Christmas season. Interfaith gatherings, community meals, and charitable events all serve as spaces for people from different backgrounds to connect and understand one another. In a world often divided by ideological and political differences, Christmas can become a season with a reason for open dialogue, compassion, and understanding. Embracing Christmas’ call for peace and unity allows us to honour its roots in ways that resonate with our global context.

Practising Simplicity and Mindfulness

While Christmas has grown as a metaphor for lavish celebrations and enchanting tamashas, the season’s roots actually encourage simplicity and mindfulness. The traditional story of Jesus’ Birth in a manger speaks to a humble beginning, one that invites us to cherish what truly matters in life. Embracing that simplicity allows us shift our focus from material abundance to the richness of shared experiences.

In recent years, minimalism and mindfulness have gained popularity as antidotes to the consumer-driven spendthrift lifestyle with a ‘shop till you drop’ psychosis. Many people now opt for simpler, handmade gifts or choose to forgo elaborate decorations in favour of natural elements. These preferred choices reflect a desire to connect more authentically with the true meaning of Christmas. Instead of flashy lights or mountains of gifts, families can create meaningful memories through acts of kindness or spending quality time together strengthening family ties. One modern example for this is the ‘Reverse Advent Calendar’ tradition. Instead of receiving a treat each day, participants place an item – such as dry rations or clothing – in a box to donate to those in need. This practice helps to instil gratitude and generosity, shifting the focus from consumption to community service. By embracing a simpler and more mindful and meaningful approach, we honour the humble roots of Christmas and foster a deeper sense of appreciation for life’s countless blessings.

A Journey of Rediscovering…

Returning to the roots of Christmas is a journey of rediscovering faith, kindness, and togetherness in a world that often moves at a very rapid pace. The true spirit of Christmas calls us to reflect on values that transcend time and culture: humility, compassion, peace, unity, and love. In embracing these themes, we transform Christmas from a season of materialism into one pregnant with meaning.

As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us remember that this event is not about what we have, but about who we are with and how we make others feel. It is a season of opening our hearts and minds to others, of putting love into action, and of finding moments of peace and tranquility in the midst of cacophony, disorder and chaos. By going back to the roots of Christmas, let us therefore invite joy, hope, and kindness into our lives, allowing Christmas grow and glow with renewed purpose and profound meaning resulting in a new birth in our own lives!

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Opinion

Jeffrey: Cartoonist par excellence

Published

16 hours ago

2026/01/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

If there exists a print media personality who does not receive the due recognition and appreciation he rightfully deserves, it undoubtedly is ‘Jeffrey’ of The Island newspaper. The works of many a journalist have been frequently highlighted and appreciated but the capabilities and efficiency of personnel of the calibre of ‘Jeffrey ‘ are, more or less, taken for granted.

In every sphere of life, professional or occupational, there are people who function, not necessarily from behind the scenes, but nevertheless perform an equally efficient service, which in all probability goes unnoticed.

To be frank, even before reading the headlines of the Newspaper, as is customary now, my eyes seek for the Cartoon of the day. Indeed, a sight for sore eyes each morning, the lovable ‘Jeffrey’ makes my day.

Suffice to say that a ‘Good Job done man’ type of occasional pat on the back, to a person who puts his very soul into his work, would touch the only place where it matters the most – his heart. If a smile could work wonders, then how much further would a word of appreciation go.

‘Jeffrey ‘ has, time and again through his cartoons, aptly proven his innovative and creative skills to present factual depiction of current affairs, both local and global. His drawing pen effortlessly covers all boundaries, irrespective of whatever nature. On a previous occasion, too, I have openly commended his abilities, finding it difficult to fathom how he could convey pertinent incidents, normally requiring hundreds of words to express, with a single drawing.

To all intents and purposes, ‘Jeffrey ‘ ranks much higher and could be considered as a rare find when compared with the numerous others actively engaged in this particular field of professionalism.

In ‘Jeffrey ‘, The Island newspaper indeed has a Cartoonist par excellence!

Jeffrey, more power to your elbow!

WILLIAM PHILLIPSZ

Opinion

Anti-aging injection shows promise in re-growing knee cartilage

Published

16 hours ago

2026/01/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Scientists at Stanford Medicine have reported a discovery that could change how arthritis and joint damage are treated. In experiments on animals and human tissue, researchers found that blocking a protein linked to aging can restore worn cartilage in the knee and prevent arthritis after injury. The treatment works not by adding stem cells, but by reprogramming existing cartilage cells to behave in a more youthful way.

In aging mice, an injectable drug rebuilt knee cartilage that normally thins with age. In mice with knee injuries similar to anterior cruciate ligament tears, the same treatment prevented the onset of arthritis, a condition that often follows such injuries in humans. A pill form of the drug is already being tested in early clinical trials for age-related muscle weakness, raising hopes that a similar approach could one day be used for joints.

Human knee cartilage removed during joint replacement surgery also responded to the treatment. When exposed to the drug in the laboratory, the tissue began forming new cartilage that resembled healthy, functional joint cartilage. These findings suggest that cartilage lost to aging or arthritis might eventually be restored through injections into the joint or even oral medication, potentially reducing the need for knee and hip replacements.

Osteoarthritis affects about one in five adults in the United States and costs tens of billions of dollars annually in direct health care spending. Despite its prevalence, there is no drug that can stop or reverse the disease. Current treatment focuses on pain relief, physical therapy and, in advanced cases, joint replacement surgery.

The new therapy targets a protein known as 15-PGDH, which increases in the body with age. The research team classifies it as a gerozyme, a type of enzyme that contributes to the gradual decline of tissue function over time. Previous work from the same group showed that rising levels of 15-PGDH weaken muscles with age. Blocking the protein restored muscle strength and endurance in older mice, while forcing young mice to produce it caused muscle loss.

Unlike muscle, bone or blood, cartilage does not rely on stem cells to repair itself. Instead, cartilage cells called chondrocytes can change their gene activity. By inhibiting 15-PGDH, researchers found that these cells reverted to a more youthful state and began producing healthy cartilage again.

“This is a new way of regenerating adult tissue, and it has significant clinical promise for treating arthritis due to aging or injury,” said Helen Blau, professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford and a senior author of the study.

There are three main types of cartilage in the body. Elastic cartilage forms flexible structures like the outer ear. Fibrocartilage is tough and shock absorbing, found between spinal vertebrae. Hyaline cartilage, also called articular cartilage, is smooth and glossy and allows joints such as the knees, hips and shoulders to move with minimal friction. Osteoarthritis mainly affects this last type.

The disease develops when joints are stressed by aging, injury or excess weight. Chondrocytes begin releasing inflammatory molecules and breaking down collagen, the main structural protein of cartilage. As collagen is lost, cartilage thins and softens, leading to pain, swelling and stiffness. Articular cartilage rarely regenerates on its own, and attempts to find stem cells capable of rebuilding it have largely failed.

In the new study, researchers compared knee cartilage from young and old mice and found that levels of 15-PGDH roughly doubled with age. When older mice were treated with a drug that blocks the protein, either throughout the body or directly in the joint, their knee cartilage thickened and regained function. Importantly, the new tissue was true hyaline cartilage rather than weaker fibrocartilage.

The results were equally striking in injured joints. In mice with ligament injuries, repeated injections over four weeks sharply reduced the likelihood of developing arthritis. Untreated animals showed high levels of 15-PGDH and developed arthritis within weeks. Treated animals moved more normally and placed more weight on the injured limb.

Detailed analysis showed that the treatment shifted the balance of cartilage cells. Cells associated with inflammation and cartilage breakdown became less common, while cells responsible for producing healthy joint cartilage increased markedly. This change occurred without the involvement of stem cells.

When human osteoarthritic cartilage was treated in the laboratory for one week, similar changes were observed. Levels of harmful gene activity fell, and signs of cartilage regeneration appeared.

The findings are encouraging but still early. While safety trials of a 15-PGDH inhibitor for muscle weakness have shown promising results, clinical trials focused on cartilage regeneration have yet to begin. Even so, researchers are optimistic.

“Imagine regrowing existing cartilage and avoiding joint replacement,” Blau said. For millions living with joint pain and stiffness, that possibility now seems closer than ever.

Opinion

Why is transparency underfunded?

Published

2 days ago

2026/01/6

Sahan Weerasooriya

The RTI Commission has now confirmed what many suspected — although the RTI Act grants it independence to recruit staff, this authority is rendered toothless because the Treasury controls the purse strings. The Commission is left operating with inadequate manpower, limiting its institutional growth even as it struggles to meet rising public demand for information.

This raises an uncomfortable question: if the Treasury can repeatedly allocate billions to loss-making State-Owned Enterprises — some of which continue to hemorrhage public funds without reform — why is adequate funding for the RTI Commission treated as optional?

Strengthening transparency is not a luxury. It is the foundation of good governance. Every rupee spent on effective oversight helps prevent many more rupees being wasted through inefficiency, misuse, or opaque decision-making.

In such a context, can one really fault those who argue that restricting the Commission’s resources conveniently limits disclosures that may prove politically inconvenient? Whether deliberate or not, the outcome is the same: weaker accountability, reduced public scrutiny, and a system where opacity is easier than openness.

If the government is serious about reform, it must start by funding the institutions that keep it honest. Investing in RTI is not an expense — it is a safeguard for the public purse and the public trust.

A Concerned Citizen – Moratuwa