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.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who lived out what it means to love our enemies.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who encouraged generosity to the poor with no strings attached.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who told us not to live out of anxiety and fear.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who instructed us to lay up treasures in heaven, rather than amassing material wealth.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who directed us to pay more attention to correcting our own faults than casting blame on to make us feel superior to others.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who prescribed empathy toward others, treating them as we would like to be treated.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who demanded we work for peace rather than deal in the tools of war.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who prized compassion for people far above institutions and rules.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who valued redemption far above condemnation.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who held up foreigners as examples of faith for those within his own tradition.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who required his followers to live far beyond personal ambition.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who defined greatness as serving those with nothing to give in return.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who elevated forgiveness as a means of meaningful reconciliation.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, the human face of God’s character and design for our own lives.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus, who challenged structures of human power to call us to care for one another as equals, rather than stepping stones for personal advantage.
If we are serious about celebrating Christmas as the birth of Jesus, we must be honest about Jesus’ values, priorities, and demands upon those who would become his disciples.
—©Copyright 2018, Christopher B. Harbin  http://www.sermonsearch.com/contributors/104427/ 

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