Our image of Christmas is that it is a time of celebration and birth. We worship at Christmas time to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, who through his teachings and personal example gave us a shining beacon by which we can live our own lives. It is Jesus birthday that is at the center of Christmas. Many of the Christmas traditions such as the tree, the date of Jesus birth, the gift giving, the feasting, the music and the biblical verses have nothing really to do with Jesus, himself as a person, these are part of Christmas because they are the contributions of many who wish to celebrate.
Having said that, it is important to remember that Jesus wanted us to share our joy and happiness about the knowledge and participation that he gave us no matter what our origins might be. Christmas is an inclusive celebration that invites all comers to join in. It is a time when we forgive and renew our vows of sharing in the way of life that Jesus wanted all of us to engage ourselves in. Forget the material things of your world and focus on what is within your heart and soul. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is the message of Christmas. It is a time when we engage in sharing and loving, when we forget our petty differences and realize the wonderful world that can be gotten by following Jesus teaching, a world of peace and understanding, an inclusive world in which we cooperate together to solve the immense problems of all our worlds.
Jesus message is that of love and joy, giving and sharing, and the deeds that he would have us perform are the best deeds that people can offer to others. In the world of Jesus vision, we solve the many disagreements we have, we work together to share a vision in which we can all be partakers in a better world, in the best that our earthly existence has to offer.
Celebrate with me in rereading Jesus message about how to live your life as contained in the verses of the new testament. Explore what you feel are the best verses that the gospels and books of his period have to offer about his message. Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you.