At the time of this writing we are one week away from the eve of one of the holiest days of the Christian calendar – Christmas. Over the past week I have had several different trains of thought about the meaning and ramifications of this event. Let me put forth some seeds for thought in the hopes that they will germinate into something that will grow and produce a profound positive change in how we view ourselves and others.
What if we had lived at the time and in the village where Mary and Joseph lived? We would have probably known, or, at least, known of them. What would we have assumed about them? Please do not pass this question over quickly with all of the preconceived notions and sermons about the story. Set aside all of the Bible stories you have been taught and sermons you have heard about this. If you heard two people claiming what this story claims, what would you have assumed about their story?
Now, come into the present time. What do we assume about people who tell us things about their life stories that are out of keeping with our view of reality today? What about people who tell us that their experience has told them the police are not people they can trust for help but are people who hate them and are to be feared? What do we assume about people who tell us they love God but know that He has made them other than those for whom sexual identification and orientation is a straightforward man and woman view? What do we assume about people who choose a path other than the “I accept Jesus as my Savior and Lord” path? What do we assume about, well, you keep the thought going.
We are in a season in which there are many different special days that are celebrated by people of many different perspectives on what constitutes a meaningful and helpful approach to life. There are many different faith families. The people in each of these families will say, “I can’t imagine a better family than mine.” But certainly each of us in these differing families, upon objective reflection, would admit that our families have some asses in the midst.
What if we can approach life with the idea of simply being a friend to members of all these families? What if we can simply look at them as the family next door that we love to be with? What if we can be glad they are our neighbor (did anyone hear Mister Rogers singing?). And if we learn that their family is harming or does not help them can we simply let them know that we are willing to welcome them into our family? What if they are ready to welcome us in the same way if our family fails to bring peace, compassion, and love to our lives?
What if the greeting of “Happy Holidays” can be seen as not being an attack on Christianity but rather as a truly Christian attempt to recognize the worth, dignity, and beauty of all people? What if the message of the Christmas story is, “You are loved!”? No condemnation. No believe this or accept that. What if God is saying, “You are loved and I will never give up on you. My love IS going to win. You can help the victory by loving like Me.”?
Love is going to win.
You ARE loved!
Think about it.
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