Christmas is to Share—God

The Good News for the Day, December 25, 2022
Christmas Day (186) Midnight service

The Gospel

Around that time, Caesar Augustus ordered the whole Roman world to be counted in a census. This was the first enrollment— and Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Travel up into the Hill Country

Everybody went to be enrolled, returning each family to their ancestral town. Joseph, too, went up from Galilee— from Nazareth—to Judea, to the city of David, Bethlehem. He did so because he belonged to the House of David. There he was to be counted with Mary, his fiancée, who was expecting.

The Birth

While they were there, her time came to give birth, and she delivered her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes.

Angels Visit Sheepherders – Not Royalty

Now, some local shepherds who lived out in the fields were keeping guard at night over their flock. A messenger of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. These things troubled them.

“Don’t Be Afraid!”

The messenger spoke to them, “Don’t be afraid. Listen! I am announcing to you good news—great joy. It will benefit everybody. Today, in the city of David, a savior has been born for you—a Messiah and Lord.

Here is the way for you to know him: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and resting in a manger.”

Instantly, a large number of the Angels from the Other World were with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those who share His loving [“People of goodwill”]. (Luke 2).

Reflections of the Word of Jesus

God shared what he loved out to the whole world. Our much greater later understanding is that God shared something of Himself, a risk that parents often do as their maturing child eases out of the shelter of family life into the larger world.

Now, this gift is in your hands, is part of your world, and is something of a challenge to all of us to deal with.

It is fine for all of us Christians to celebrate Christmas. We find joy in having Santa come. Reading and hearing the words of Scripture comforts your very soul. It is a special pleasure for parents to see the effect of Christmas on children.

So many of us have an uncanny special feeling to hear bells, see the covered lights, visit the decorated church, enjoy family gatherings and meals – and swim in the whole Christmas air with all its feelings.

The Importance Here

Perhaps there is a deeper level of which we need to remind ourselves. The real and deepest expression of God to you and me is not just to give gifts. Giving gifts is often a pleasure and easy to do, but to give something of ourselves is on a different plane.

Perhaps today you and I can start and extend some risky behavior, a faith in others, fresh courage and putting ourselves out to benefit others. Each of us in our own way. None of us is the Creator. None of us is God, and yet….

We have a capacity and spirit that exceeds our humanity. You and I – merely human beings – can imitate the greatest acts of God our Creator.

With the very love of God, we can benefit others. We can really love them, bypassing their darkness, fears, and loneliness through authentic caring for each of our fellow human beings.

Following what God does, you can see the hunger and hope in the hearts of enemies. You and I can be a light intervening courageously in the night that people sometimes wrap themselves. We can lift hearts with our courage, forgiving attitude, and understanding.

You too can bring Jesus into the world by loving others the same way God has loved us.