A Christmas message...

Thu Dec 22 2011

There are many messages that Christmas presents to all of us. Messages that hopefully, we carry with us into the New Year.

 

Messages of hope, of peace and of love.

 

Today, I want to write about what I, in the year 2011, am receiving for my message from Christmas. The message Christmas is “presenting” to me. Presenting...a present of sorts. No coincidence  that these two words are rooted in the action of giving/gifting.

 

The greatest message to me about the Christian message in Christmas is that of how the story could have gone if those involved would have judged instead of opening their hearts.

 

Mary was in our common slang language, knocked up. Harsh. Yes. But if she lived today and found herself not married and preggers...this would be how she would be described.

 

So...she is pregnant and single. Strike one. In the day and age we live in, there is barely anymore judgment concerning this, but there is some. In those days, it was the worst thing in the world you could do as a woman.

 

Joseph receives his message through an angel. Strike two. In these days, that would be described as delusional and just plain crazy. All is friends would be telling him she was easy...not marriage material. She obviously was a loose woman. Again harsh, but realistic. 

 

Joseph, having probably felt all this pressure and more, stepped up to the plate and was a man about it. He dropped judgment and stood by her side.

 

Now we have two people...out of wedlock...homeless. Strike three. That’s right...homeless...traveling...nothing to their name...no roof over their head. No ‘The Contributor Newspaper’ to sell on the street corner. 

 

There was no room for them...and so we are not sure if Jesus was born in a stable...or a cave...or wherever...only that he lay in a manger aka a trough. 

 

Now you have Mary, an unwed mother. You have Joseph, a man that has to accept his soon to be wife got pregnant supernaturally. You have Jesus, a new born baby that angels have said is the Son of God. 

 

Shepherds and wise kings brought gifts with open hearts...not judgmental thinking.

 

What if there was no one there to greet this king? No gifts? No one giving the time of day or traveling from afar? What if the people who offered shelter would have denied them...like I am sure many others along the road did...simply because their circumstance was so scandalous? What if Joseph had turned his back on her? What if Mary would have allowed herself to be overcome by the fear of the shame and guilt that others judgments were surely to bring to her?

 

The true message of Christmas comes down to this...

 

Compassion.

 

Plain and simple. Not gift giving. Or turkey and ham. Not eggnog or mistletoe. 

 

Compassion.

 

There are people in need this Christmas. Every day...

 

Can you think of someone you have judged? Because you heard a rumor about them? Because they present themselves a certain way. Because you don’t quite get them, therefore you have labeled them? Because they have made a mistake or two? Because your friends think they know them and therefore you judge them too...even though you have never even been formally introduced?

 

Is there someone you don’t get along with? Is there someone who has hurt your feelings or rejected you? Is there someone who keeps coming back even though you have given them the hint time and time again that you don’t want them around? Is there someone with whom you have denied your love to, just because they have nothing you feel you can benefit from them?

 

Is there someone you truly don’t understand, therefore you make them wrong, not because they are, but because your lack of being able to relate with them makes them wrong in your eyes?

 

There is one world. We are all a part of it. The absolute greatest gift you can give anyone on this planet is the gift of acceptance. Acceptance is love. Rejection and judgment is the opposite. 

 

Won’t you give that gift of love this Christmas? Can you imagine if each one of us brought to mind even one person we have judged this year...and just set them free of that judgment in our minds? If we mentally chose to accept them as perfect the way they are...that we don’t have the right or even need to cast judgment on them...that we accept them for who they are...can you imagine the impact that would have? And no matter what your beliefs are...I know every person has once experienced in their life, thinking about a person and having that person either call...text...or they run into that person somewhere. It is the power of energy, thought, and how we are all connected.

 

If you will choose thoughts of compassion, love and acceptance for someone you have been casting a judgment or opinion about...they will feel that...and that is the greatest gift you can give both you and that person. 

 

Every time you judge a person, you forget your own heart. Jesus said it. All the masters have said it. Those who have come before and after have said it. You judge someone else...you judge yourself.

 

Blessings to all of you this holiday season. May someone who has hurt you or judged you, send you thoughts of love this season. May you send someone you have hurt and judged thoughts of love this season.

 

Let’s start a chain reaction of love, compassion and acceptance. Are you in?

 

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.

Comments

• I heartily agree, and yes, you're still in a good place. Emmanuel = God with us, at Christmas and always. He's the Father of compassion, so much so He sent His Son to live the Life we should've lived, and He died the Death we should've died. What is Christmas anyway, without Christ? Thanks you for sharing this post, Good stuff, Amy.

  Mark 2 months ago flg

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