| Sunny Side Up Dec.8, 2004 �2004, Kathleen Gibson Know the Grown up Baby The thing I love best in the Christmas story is the 'topsy turvy' element. When he wanted to announce the birth of Jesus, God held a press conference. Only he didn't call for the media moguls from the Global Post. He invited - and only invited - the shepherds - stinky, dirty, despised. And for the delivery room, the owner and C.E.O. of the universe checked the woman who was to bear his son not into the Bethlehem Obstetrics Clinic for the Fabulously Wealthy, but the equivalent of a rusty storage shed out back of the what was likely the seediest motel in town, where he would be accessible to those who realized most their need of him. In the birth of Jesus, to a poor family in squalid surroundings; indeed, all through scripture, God makes it very clear that he's an inclusive Deity. God sends invitations to outcasts, holds banquets for the impoverished of body and soul. They're the first ones invited in from the cold to warm themselves at the hearth of his love. No more standing outside; peeking in the windows of those of us who feel we deserve that place more. Jesus, all grown up, stretched out his hand to those the society of the day shunned. Lepers, women, children. The blind, poor, drunken, ill and hungry. The demon possessed and the thieves. Today, that would interpret into the needy over here and 'over there'. To countries war torn and famine stricken. To the targets of our thinly veiled prejudices - whatever they be. To addicts, the mentally challenged and mentally ill; the abused and the abuser; to the hopeless and homeless, the disenfranchised and disqualified. The list is endless. Since my trip to India, I can't escape the question: What was most important to Jesus? When he walked the earth, he repeatedly called for repentance - a deliberate turning to God for forgiveness from the darkness that weighs heavy on our hearts. He lived simply, in tune with nature. He gave priority to teaching eternal truths from Holy Scripture. He fed, healed, and had compassion on others. His mission was to establish God's kingdom, and his life demonstrated the pattern he left his followers to continue. If you're really trying to get off the annual Christmas roller coaster; if you're searching for meaning in Christmas, try this: Learn about who that Baby in the manger was. Make his values your own. Rediscover the truths found in the Bible. Honor people you've never had time for before. Like God, who celebrated his son's birth by holding a press conference for shepherds, find someone who least expects good news and bring some. Practice simple living. Turn topsy turvy. It's the only thing that will save your Christmas - and the only thing that will save you the other 364 days of the year too. If you don't know where to start, here's a suggestion: Read the Gospel of John. If you don't have one, you can access one from my links page. You can respond to this column at [email protected] Return Home |
 |