Today is the day set aside for celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ. While almost none in the 21st Century have true consensus that this day is the real day of his birth, it's a tradition that one day should rightly be set aside for the celebration. Think of it like thoroughbred racehorses. They all have an official the actual day of their birth. Yet, every young girl whose ever owned and ridden a horse, no matter its breeding, will tell you the date and time of birth, to the second, if they know it.
Somewhere along the line, we lost the real date of Jesus Christ's birth. It doesn't matter.
You see, the Gospel of John puts it elegantly and well. In the beginning was the Word, which refers to Jesus, and so we all now know that before he was born on earth, he was. He is. He will always be.
The Queen delivered her annual Christmas speech, and is also spending the holiday with her expanding family while Prince Philip recovers from his own health problems. The Queen's message concludes with the recognition that Christ brought to earth the greatest gift of all. Forgiveness.
So many religions concentrate on what we must do in order to reach out to a Higher Being. Christianity is about what God has done and what God does to reach out to us.
Forgiveness.
That's it. The greatest gift. We receive it and we give it.
Forgiveness is the greatest gift of Christmas. It is the freely given, priceless gift of God to us, and of all of us to eachother. It cannot fit into a box, nor can it be contained in structures as huge as football stadiums or cathedrals. It is smaller than anything we can imagine, as it has no physical size at all. It is impossible to contain it once it is given, and can inspire great things. It is a foundation that can support peace.
And so, on this Christmas Day, let us give eachother a gift we cannot purchase with all the gold in the world. Let us freely hand this gift, one to another, group to group, city to city, nation to nation.
Just as our sins, once forgiven are as far removed as East from West (which when you think about it, is a place that can never be found, despite North turning to South if you travel far enough), let us remove whatever has caused a need for forgiveness. Let us remove those memories as far as East is from the West.
For this day, and all future days that might, possibly be the real birthday of Christ, let's practice forgiveness. After all, if you are in the mood to celebrate Jesus' birth on this day, then being ready to at least celebrate with the gift that has no price every other day of the year. Just in case.
You never know.
Happy Christmas! May Peace and Forgiveness overwhelm you all with joy.
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