Christmas

The anthropologist in me is rational-- logical.  So, let's think logically for a minute or two.  Logically, it doesn't make sense that any religion, let alone Christianity, is correct.  If anything, all of us should either 1) adhere to the teachings of Zoroastrianism (Google it), because it's the oldest religion of which we have record, or 2) believe only in that which can be observed through our senses.  Makes sense.  Facts, facts, facts.

Certainly, things have changed since that first Christmas.  It's a fact.  For starters, Christ was not born on December 25.  Lights.  Trees.  Rudolph.  Gift exchange.  Most of our Christmas rituals today more closely resemble pagan tradition rather than Christian tradition.  (That's all right, though.  I recognize that cultural influences often mingle with pure doctrine.)  Some people only see Christmas as an excuse to get a few days off work and spend time with friends and family.  For the businessman, it might be the chance to capitalize on the materialistic nature of gift-giving.  Take all of that away, and what's left?  A baby, His virgin mother, and some shepherds....  So, what's the big deal?

Here's another fact for you:  Jesus of Nazareth was, indeed, a person who truly lived.  It's a fact.  No respectable scientist would dispute that.  Then, logically, His life meant one of two things.  Either 1) He was a Jewish man who addressed religious and social corruption through "radical" teachings OR 2) He was the Son of God, born of Mary--a virgin--in Bethlehem, who not only addressed religious and social corruption, but also took it upon Himself to correct every injustice and corruption ever.  Seriously, ever.

It's a simple "yes" or "no" question.  Was Jesus who He said He was, or was He not?  There's no in-between or "sort of" answer here.  While it may seem illogical, the anthropologist and Christian in me both agree (for reasons we'll address in a later post):  Jesus of Nazareth was (and is) the Son of God.  Wonderful.  Counselor.  The Savior of Mankind.

But what does that mean?  Why is it so important that a little baby was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger over 2,000 years ago?  Sure, He grew up to teach some really wonderful things.  As the song says, "Truly He taught us to love one another.  His law is love, and His Gospel is peace."  (O Holy Night, 3rd verse).  But is that what sets Him apart?  Last time I checked, a lot of other exceptionally wise people also taught some insightful concepts to their followers.  Buddha.  Gandhi.  Mohammed.  To name a few.

What, then, is so significant about Jesus Christ?  What sets Him apart from these others?  Why bother celebrating His birth and life?...  Remember those questions.  We'll come back to them later.

My personal perceptions of Christmas have evolved a little overtime.  While bouncing around in the living room with my sisters, wearing matching pajamas, and singing "All I Want for Christmas is You" and "Santa Baby" isn't totally out of the question, the depth and meaning of Christmastime has attached itself indefinitely to my heart.  I'm kind of like the reformed Grinch or Scrooge, I guess.  Christmas means more to me now, because Christ means more to me now.

But why?  (Look back at aforementioned questions.)

Injustice, cruelty, hatred, corruption, greed....  All of these exist in full-force today.  Although I wish it wasn't true, children are abused (and never dream of getting a Christmas present), honest people starve, families suffer from illnesses that they can't afford to see treated, natural disasters destroy entire cities, and the bad guys win sometimes.  And it's not fair!  Not fair at all!  The complexities of the challenges faced by mankind in general is, to say the least, overwhelming and gut wrenching.

That's not even to mention the very personal, individual challenges that each of us have to undergo.  Whether a 4th grade teacher in Colorado or a homeless orphan living on the streets of Dubai-- pain and suffering is not general.  It's individual.  How many of us have caught ourselves crying out in despair, "No one understands me.  No one knows what I'm going through right now."  And it doesn't matter if our pain is comparatively minimal-- like dealing with a bad day at work-- or substantial-- like watching a child suffer through painful medical treatments.  Pain is pain.  Suffering is suffering.  Sometimes we deserve it, but usually we don't.

That's why Jesus Christ is important.  That baby boy born in Bethlehem would, one day, grow to be the man who would take those horrible things upon Himself, in spite of the unfairness of it all.  Those generic circumstances of human suffering-- yeah-- He felt it.  Those individual circumstances where we cry, "No one understands,"...  He understands perfectly.  Again, to quote a song, "He knows our need.  To our weakness is no stranger."  (O Holy Night, 2nd verse).  My stubbed toe, that really bad stomach flu, that broken heart, that Mother's worry, that family's loss.  He felt it all.  All of it.  Willingly, He felt it!  Out of love, He felt it.  That's why He's different.

But, that's not all.   He didn't just feel all of that.  Jesus Christ, somehow, overcame all of that.  As the only perfect man to walk the Earth, as the literal Son of God, He was the only one who could do it.  I don't begin to profess that I understand how the laws of justice and mercy were met in Him, but I trust Him when He says, "Be of good cheer.  I have overcome the world."  That's not a figurative statement, by the way.

Because Jesus of Nazareth was born, everything that is cruel and wrong and unfair about life will be corrected.  Even in the darkest of times, "the wrong shall fail, the right prevail" (I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day).  Perhaps some of the results of our Savior's actions won't be realized until all is said and done.  However, His peace can immediately enter in and soothe our troubling hearts as we celebrate His life throughout the year.

And that's a fact.

PS--  Favorite Christmas Songs that teach this message:

Hallelujah
O Holy Night
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
(Definitely do this one!!!)  O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Hallelujah Chorus
For Unto Us a Child is Born