Merry Christmas

A young couple walks ninety miles over four days to deliver an infant of questionable origins in a barn among farm animals. That boy grows up to be a champion of love, hope, joy and peace. His name echos in eternity. For some, he is the Messiah. For others, he is a nuisance. Still others scoff at his miraculous birth and discount his teachings. But putting the mythology aside, Christ’s birth, life and death are miracles in themselves.

The difficult journey of Mary & Joseph would drive most modern couples apart. The “hardships” most of us face in twenty first century America pale in comparison. Making the journey itself is a testament to their love for each other.

The birth of a baby in the middle of a barn, without assistance, without doctors or even a proper midwife, is a miracle. Can you imagine bringing your child into the world with only a donkey to help you in the process? It is unspeakable joy that a boy be brought healthy into the world this way.

After the journey and the delivery, how peaceful it must have been in that stable! Not the type of manufactured peace we get in a modern day spa, but the overwhelming peace of the end of a long journey, a long pregnancy and the safe delivery of a child. In the midst of a barn, Mary & Joseph we’re granted a peace that most of us will never know.

The hope of a new child rested in their arms. Each birth contains endless possibilities. We look forward to watching children grow into more than we could have imagined.

The story of Jesus Christ does not need magic to be miraculous. It is a miracle in its plainness. It is the Gospel with or without a resurrection. It is the story of joy, peace, hope and love for all people.

The world needs the Christmas Story, but not because of the miracles. We need the Christmas Story for its extraordinary plainness. The faith of a couple giving birth to their son in a barn. A boy who grew up to teach kindness to all.

You do not need to believe in mythology to believe in Jesus. His story is one of joy, peace, hope and love. We need this Gospel to be preached into the world today. We need to find peace that the challenges we face are small in comparison to those faced in the past. We need to know hope is proven by the continuous progress of humanity toward a more just world. We need to find joy in our day to day lives. And most importantly, we need to love each other deeply.

The Christmas Story may contain passages of Angels and a Virgin birth. But those aren’t central to it. At its core, it’s a story of a coupe who loved each other enough to whether the journey together. It’s a story of a boy born in a stable. It’s the miracle of birth and life itself. It’s a reminder that joy, peace, hope and love are the meanings of a life well lived.

I hope you have a day full of peace, joy and love. Merry Christmas!