Merry Christmas!

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

I didn’t grow up in a Christian home. I did, however, grow up with Christian values. As I remember it, all of us, all of my friends grew up with those same principles. Many, if not most of us, were not practicing Christians. Some of us, for religious reasons, didn’t even celebrate Christmas. But, we all understood why it existed. Even at a young age we understood. I remember the magical feeling the season would bring. At the time, I must admit that the presents and the lights and Santa Claus and Christmas music contributed greatly to giving the season that special aura. But, there was always more to it. The foundation of the holiday always came from the little baby, lying in a manger. The beautiful simplicity of the nativity exemplifies peace and hope to so many. Why would anyone have a problem with that?

An irony of today’s hateful, divisive times is the attempt by those that are incapable of understanding the spirit of Christmas to discredit it and the beliefs it fosters. These are people that actually believe that a holiday that cultivates sensations such as joy, hope and peace, must be rejected or canceled because they can’t, or won’t, understand it. In other words, they don’t want anyone to enjoy or prosper in life unless it is done by their blueprint. Well, this time of the year, more than any other, we need to stand up and show that we have values that are determined by natural law and not by governmental edict. Whether we want them to coincide with the teachings of Jesus is immaterial. Natural law, law based on natural human values and ethics and bestowed on us by our very nature, or God, as I prefer, correspond with the basic principles of Christianity. To be sure the “church”, as an institution, as well as governments, in general, have often forgotten these principles in the past, and continue to do so today. Whether it is religion or government, whosoever tries to usurp the power of natural law, or, in my opinion God’s law, is motivated by evil influences. Power and greed.

So, whether we actually believe in the story of Jesus, or whether we simply believe it’s a beautiful story is truly irrelevant. We are celebrating an event that represents the most important elements of human nature. A baby, the son of God, born in a manger, in a stable. From these humble beginnings, this baby grows to be one of the most influential figures this world has ever known. Whether one wishes to believe in the story or not, its lessons are righteous and honorable. The celebration of this baby’s birth is a celebration of joy and hope and peace…… and redemption. And there is nothing, nor will there ever be anything wrong with that.

Enjoy your Christmas this year and every year. Celebrate righteousness. Find joy and peace in this day and every day from now until eternity. Hold on to love and peace throughout all your days. For the little baby born on this day, some two thousand years ago, and the story of his life, should do nothing but inspire us. Inspire us to love, even when we are being hated. Inspire us to be calm in the face of anger. Inspire us to thrive in faith, even while others desire our ruination. And no matter how angry and corrupt and hateful the world around us seems to become, those of us with faith in goodness, no matter it’s source, will prevail.

I looked into the eyes of my infant granddaughter and I saw the miracle. Those big pools of wonder staring back at me. It’s the only time in life when you can truly look into the eyes of human innocence. Eyes unaffected by ego. Eyes that truly mirror the purity of an authentic human soul. My grand baby. Her vigilant Mother and Father. My beautiful wife. My Brother and best friend. The gracious Wives of my two Brothers. My Mother, my Father and my Brother, that have moved on from this world. The friends I too often overlook. The friends I spend my days with at work. All of us share the purity of the experience behind a baby’s innocent gaze. We have forgotten it, but, we’ve all been there.

Only one adult has lived an entire life with that purity, and he gave his life to allow us the opportunity to even be aware of it’s existence. Christmas is truly a day for celebration. But, more importantly it’s a reminder that we should never give up on our quest to realize the purity that exists within us all. Peace be with us all on this night of nights and forever. Merry Christmas my friends!!!