Christmas means more than a shopping spree
Congressman Mike McIntyre (right) chats with Ed Worley, then director of the Columbus County Department of Aging, during a 2010 event. (Deuce Niven photo)
Congressman Mike McIntyre (right) chats with Ed Worley, then director of the Columbus County Department of Aging, during a 2010 event. (Deuce Niven photo)
As most of us prepare to celebrate Christmas by opening a mountain of gifts under the tree, we should enjoy the day and the time spent with family. It’s also essential to remember the meaning of Christmas and the reason we are gathered in celebration.
The birth of Jesus Christ fulfilled a prophecy from God to bless the world. We need only to look to the Bible and the book of Luke to tell us the story of Christ’s birth and the unprejudiced love Jesus showed throughout his life which surpasses all human limits.
One of the most overwhelming themes conveyed in Luke, and with the life of Christ, is Jesus was sent to earth by God to save. He was sent to save the poor and the rich. He was sent to save adults and children, the free and the oppressed, the men and women.
The message of Jesus is one we struggle to follow today as man is often quick to discriminate based on race or gender. Nations, as we are well aware, are quick to fight wars in the name of religion, or for the sake of democracy.
We find out early in Luke that God sent the angel Gabriel to the city of Nazareth to visit a virgin named Mary. In Luke 1:30-31 we are told Mary will carry the son of God: “And the angel said unto her, fear not Mary for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.”
It was in the fabled town of Bethlehem that Mary bore the son of God. With this birth, God became human flesh. His perfection is revealed in the human form. The birth of Jesus, and extension of God’s glory, was real, even though His conception was divine rather than human.
As Luke tells us, Mary wrapped her baby in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for the family at the inn. That’s when the angel of the Lord came upon them in Luke 2:10-11 and said, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day ? which is Christ the Lord.” The angel went on to proclaim the birth was meant to bring peace on earth and good will toward men.
While human in that he was flesh and blood, Jesus possessed divine truth and power. In His flesh, the mind of God was expressed. All we need to know about God is conveyed through Christ.
The fact there was no room for him at the inn is symbolic of the life of Jesus. Although Christ did have his loyal followers, there was no room for him in the hearts of many who were fearful of Him and viewed Jesus as an enemy.
The devil tried to tempt Jesus, but his message was unwavering. Jesus told the devil in Luke 4:8, “Get thee behind me, Satan for it is written thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”
Jesus would not waiver no matter his adversaries. Through his life and actions, he was determined to spread God’s glory.
He showed the power to heal a crippled man bedridden with palsy. Jesus healed by saying, “Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.” With those words, the man rose and walked away, the first of many to be healed by Christ’s divine power.
With that power, however, came animosity from others who refused to believe Christ was the almighty son of God. Jesus was betrayed by the likes of Judas and Peter, was arrested and crucified on the cruel cross at Calvary.
Even then, faced with a horrifying death upon the cross, Jesus still offered his forgiveness. He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Jesus died for us and his resurrection on the third day of his death fulfilled the prophecy he spoke of in Galilee.
As we celebrate the incarnation of our Lord this Christmas season, we will make room under the tree for many gifts. May we also make room for Jesus in our minds, our hearts, and our souls.