Two Thousand Christmases and More

How time flies. It seems just a few centuries ago that a child was born in a small Middle-Eastern village. Only a select few knew at the time that that child would change the world for all time. A few prophets here and there, some ordinary shepherds, some kings, and not many others of the time even knew of the birth.

Born with him was the idea that every individual had unique value that was not determined by their place in a society, or by the value of their contributions to some group or collective. Instead, each individual is imbued at birth with a divine spark all their own. This idea that each person had something uniquely their own that could not be taken from them, that did not depend on any particular good works or membership in a group— something that could only be destroyed by its owner and no-one else, was almost unimaginable. Even if it was denied, that spark could be recovered simply by acknowledging the gift and its source.

Few today realize just how radical that idea was at the time, and even now just how contentious it is. Almost no other religions accept the innate value of individuals, Some of the largest hold that the value of an individual is determined by how well they follow the teachings of authorities, by how submissive they are to their leaders, and by the actions they take and the rites they perform.

But that child was not done yet. Perhaps the greatest gift that child brought to the world was the good news that our lives are not encompassed by the brief period we spend here on Earth. Rather, that divine spark we call a soul would endure forever, returning to the source when the temporary housings of flesh and bone wore out and returned to the dust from which they were made. He brought the gift of life eternal that was given freely to each of us. He was to demonstrate that gift by passing through the portal we call death and returning to demonstrate conclusively that death was merely an illusion—a misunderstanding originating in our limited understanding.

These gifts alone would be sufficient to inspire people, many to belief and hope in life beyond this realm of ephemeral joy and suffering, triumph and defeat, success and failure, hope and despair. They would also be sufficient to inspire some others to envy and hatred as their own beliefs were shown to have no solid foundation, and the power they held over their followers drained away as from a broken vessel.

Two thousand years and more ago a child laid that foundation upon which the greatest civilizations of history were built. Throughout those years, those who believed celebrated the birth of that child, thankful for the gifts he brought. Millions understood that those gifts came with an obligation to share them with others, to accept no less than truth, to show compassion to those in need, to be slow to anger and forgiving of offenses. Less well understood was the obligation to oppose evil, to be strong in the face of oppression, to confront falsehood with truth, to defend the weak, to stand firm in attack, to free the captives, and to have courage in the face of adversity.

Some today say that this child, this Prince of Peace, was brought here to teach us to accept every affront, to be tolerant of every evil, to respond with a turned cheek to every assault. Thankfully, for most of those Christmases such beliefs were far from common.

Today we forget that the Child himself taught us to "resist the Devil and he will flee from you". He taught that it was proper to defend our faith even to the point of violence. From the example of disruption of those who would defile the temple with their commercial money changing activities, to His statement " Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." we see the obligation side of His gifts.

We are not to be passive or accepting in the face of evil, as He again admonishes us to: " But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet: and he that hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.". Also: " But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil.". These passages and others are not allegorical, but literal admonitions to those who believe and have faith. They are not commands to initiate violence, but rather to respond when resistance is appropriate.

Throughout the long centuries from that first Christmas, Christians have suffered greatly through persecution and more, and have stood firm. From the time of the Roman empire with its attacks on Christians, attacks that served only to promote the spread of Christianity, the active resistance of Christians to injustice and evil persecutions has been accepted as a valid expression of faith and fulfillment of the obligations of our gifts. Only recently has that view changed to one of passive acceptance of injustice.

Later, seven crusades were undertaken in response to brutal invasion by religious forces who believed that it was right to compel, under pain of death, submission and acceptance of their religion. For over a thousand years this conflict has continued between a Christianity that respects the right of an individual to make his own choices, and a religion that condones slavery and practices compulsory submission—accept or die.

Christmas has come every one of those two thousand years, reminding each of the gifts received and the obligations of their acceptance. Many of those Christmases have been times of joy and sharing and thankful reflection. Others have been in times of war and hardship, yet still offering hope and charity and the promise of a better future.

In our own history—but a brief coda to those many preceding years--General Washington attacked the British on a Christmas Day in a decisive battle to win our freedom. Soldiers in conflicts including a Civil War, two World Wars, and many others, took solace from the recognition that their efforts and suffering were made to free the captives from the bondage of evil governments, of tyranny, and of those who would hold abusive power over others.

Christianity, being practiced by imperfect humans, has had its instances of excesses, of intolerance, and error, but it always returns to its foundations in the gifts and teachings of that Child from long ago. Each Christmas has been an opportunity to reflect on those gifts, their meanings, and their obligations, to consider the blessings of what we have been given, and to renew our resolve and faith. Let this Christmas be no different.

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