In
case any of us have forgotten, the Jesus of Christmas was a Jew. He was born
one, lived one his entire life, and died one. He had no intention of starting a
new religion (Christianity). His life as a teacher and healer was to do
something good within Judaism, within the faith he had known all of his life.
He
did not die for the sins of the world. This was something his followers and the
writers of the New Testament later ascribed to him. He died because he
challenged the powers of the Roman Empire. He died because he threatened the
Emperor’s influence, by promoting peace between people and nations, and not war
and dominance. He died because he preached economic and political justice,
which people were starving to hear and experience, but which those who governed
thwarted.
We
forget these things. Or else we have never considered the real facts around the
life of Jesus. But Bible scholars, theologians, archeologists, historians and solid
researchers have known these things for 2000 years. It’s been out there, but
most never hear it or read about it. And many if they did wouldn’t want to
believe it.
We
have so Westernized, and politicized, and diluted and polluted the life and
teachings of the historical Jesus that he no longer represents the danger he
was to established power.
Today,
Jesus would not be identified with Trump or the Clintons, with Joel Osteen or
Kenneth Copeland, with Wall Street bankers or Corporate America. Instead, he would
be with the Syrian refugees, or among the poor in the ghettos of India and
Africa, or in the blighted neighborhoods of urban America and the impoverished
counties of the South. He would be holding the unarmed black men shot by
police. He would be supporting the LBGT community reminding them that they too
belong to God and always have. He would be standing with women in their
struggle for respect and equal rights and fair pay. And yes, he would love and
care for any girl or woman who made the difficult choice for abortion. And
there would be no condemnation by him, ever, for that decision no matter the
circumstances. He would be at the border helping illegal immigrants to safety
and to a life here they dream of having. And he would sit with those in the
crowded, noisy, confusing United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
offices and offer them comfort in the grueling process that awaits them there.
And for the illegal millions hiding from deportation he would protect and
shield them. He would march with the Black Lives Matter movement. He would
openly speak against bigotry in any form, against all racism, against petty and
profound prejudices, against hate toward any person. He would be a friend to
animals, to the environment, and to nature. He would challenge us to be
attentive and gracious, unselfish and compassionate, tolerant and kind,
nurturing and loving. He would celebrate laughter and delight, mischief and
independence. But he would also not hesitate to confront evil in any design,
scheme, or appearance.
That
is who Jesus was. That is the Jesus of Christmas.
Religious
gift giving at Christmas came out of the story of the Wise Men bringing their
offerings of love to the Christ Child; and the idea that Jesus was himself a
gift to the world. Their shared treasures hallowed that reality. But our gift
giving today is often a process of frantic shopping, bargain hunting, long
lines of the weary and frazzled, angry people break-necking for parking, and
the all-consuming task of getting it all wrapped and under the tree.
Family.
Christmas dinner together. Demonstrations of affection. Laughter. Celebrating
food and drink. Donations to those in need. All of this is a part of what
Christmas and the holiday festivities bring us as well. And these are the best
gifts we give and receive.
These
lines from English poet and novelist, Letitia Elizabeth Landon, give Christmas meaning:
“Through the dim and lonely forest
Comes a low sweet sound,
Like the whispering of angels
To the greenwood round,
Bearing through the hours of midnight,
On their viewless wings,
Music in its measure telling
High and holy things.”
Comes a low sweet sound,
Like the whispering of angels
To the greenwood round,
Bearing through the hours of midnight,
On their viewless wings,
Music in its measure telling
High and holy things.”
If we get there, if we remember who Jesus was, what his life
and death were really about, and if we experience some sense of high and holy
things, then we will have honored the Jesus of Christmas.
© Copyright 2016 Timothy Moody
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