Christmas: Are We Really Celebrating Jesus?
We celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, but too often we are confused about the meaning of that celebration. We remain captivated by a birth in Judea, but we fail to associate the child placed in a manger with who Jesus was and what the entirety of his life and ministry represent. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, God taking human flesh to be born in the family of a commoner. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, the one who taught us to count hated foreigners as neighbors we are to love. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who elevated women from the category of chattel, calling them to embrace an equal standing among his disciples. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who fed multitudes without testing them for drugs. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who healed all who came to him requesting assistance. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who taught us to care for those in debtor’s prison. We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who said we should not overcome violence with violence.