Here it is the 21st of
December and Christmas is upon us. Have you ever asked yourself, “Where does
the Christmas story begin?” Some would say at the birth of Jesus. A fundamentalist
Christian writer that I was reading earlier this week said the Christmas Story
begins in Genesis, specifically 2:17 where we are told, “but of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it
you shall surely die.”
So what happens
next? Eve goes on to eat the apple as does Adam. Here allegedly is where all the
troubles of the world began. We (humanity) were given a command by God and we
disobeyed. Eve says, “But the serpent told me it was OK.” And then we read that
Adam ate the fruit, too. His response? “Well, she gave it to me.”
At this point the more fundamental
interpreter asserts that we have earned the right to be punished. Genesis
outlines that punishment in 3:16-19 and Adam and Eve are “shown the door” out
of paradise.
Now, in order to save ourselves (save
humanity) from the punishment that God has thrown down upon us for our
disobedience we need a savior, and thus Jesus must be sent to earth. And here,
according to this fundamentalist writer, is the beginning of the Christmas
Story.
If we didn’t make the mistake of
eating the fruit, there is no need for Jesus to appear on earth… but we ate it
and he had to come.
Christmas has been set aside by the church to celebrate the birth of
Jesus; however, whatever we think of as the true meaning of Christmas is often
lost in the holiday shuffle of the secular celebrating. People get caught up in
who can afford such-and-such gift or who can throw the best party—and we forget
to give of ourselves, and we forget God’s intense love for us. I believe it
would do us and the world well if we would increase some of our focus away from
decorating and shopping, to the season’s true meaning by sharing the gift of Christ
(Love) with others. Make it so.
When we think of the Christmas story we think of an Angel visiting Mary
to tell her, as a virgin and unmarried, she will conceive and bear a son who
will change the world; Mary and Joseph marry and while Mary is still expecting
they travel to Bethlehem to “register” as ordered by the Emperor Augustus. Once
they arrive there they find there is no room at the Inn, all the rooms are
taken.
Question: How often during the Christmas season do you think about the
innkeeper? Instead of saying, “Sorry. No vacancy,” he, or she, extends love to
this couple. I imagine the conversation in the innkeeper’s head goes something
like this: “All our room are booked. These people really need a place to stay and I am going to make it so.” So the
innkeeper says to Mary and Joseph when they inquire about a room, “Look, I
don’t have any rooms available for tonight, but if you’d like you could stay in
the stable. There’s plenty of hay in there and while it may not be the most
comfortable of spots, you’ll be out of the weather and have something to sleep
on other than the ground.”
Then I imagine the innkeeper tells the stable-boy, “These nice folks are
going to sleep in the stable tonight. I want them to be comfortable. Go out
there and make it so.”
Next in the story, Jesus is born, the host of Angels come, the shepherds
come and some time later the Wise Men arrive.
Jane asked me
the other day if I ever thought about how this story would have been different
if it had been wise women instead of men?
No, I haven’t, I
said.
Well, Jane said,
those women would have asked Directions, they would have arrived on time, helped
deliver the baby, brought practical gifts,
cleaned the stable, made a casserole - And There Would Be Peace On Earth! J
How are we to see the Christmas Story all these years later? As a
celebration of a birth, just like we celebrate our own birthday or is there
another way to see Christmas? Of course there is another way. Yes, we see the
birth of the baby Jesus as an event, but we also see what that birth
symbolizes; the birth of Love, the expression of Love, the coming forth of
Love. Those are the things I am reminded of in the Christmas season. The
Christmas Story is a reminder “to be” in Love, to live in Love, to extend Love.
A couple of Sundays ago the scripture from the Daily Word fits here: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so
you must love one another. 35 By this
everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
This is where we show we “get” Christmas; we get are to love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
For me Christmas is a reminder to
extend love, so for me, the Christmas story begins in the heart.
If Christ consciousness seems too far off for you, let yourself dwell
in “Inn-keeper consciousness” and
extend love wherever you see it’s needed.
Remember that love is not outside
yourself but shining in the heaven within you.
Before we take an offering for our
church I’d like to share a short video with you. If you are a fan of “Star
Trek: The Next Generation,” I think you’ll especially like this.
Michele… make it so…
Tonight is our Christmas
Candle-lighting service and whether or not I see you tonight, have a warm-hearted
Christmas.
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