the baby in the manger

the overwhelming message for me this christmas has been to recognise (and absorb) the
challenge of the baby in the manger. mary and elizabeth sing (in luke ch 1) of a life that will turn things upside down, and yet our christmas celebrations reflect a quest for comfort and growing affluence. "peace" has come to mean an absence of conflict - whereas for Jesus, "peace" will mean dedication to working FOR peace in the lives of the oppressed, the poor and the powerless ones.

when we keep Jesus (gentle jesus meek and mild) in the manger we are able to keep christmas celebration neat and sanitised. change is not a part of the message of christmas.

i reckon when it comes down to it the message of christmas is very simple. it's a profound challenge to us to SHARE. God loves the world and shares himself with the world (john 3:16) jesus' life reflects the sharing generosity of God. jesus teached a way of sharing. he encourages generosity by affirming an old women's meagre contribution and affirming a young boy who shares his lunch... jesus encourages a sharing of lives, by inviting his friends to live and servce each other, sharing time and energy and gifts and abilities.

jesus came to teach us to share!

one person asked me, after the christmas day service: "but didn't jesus come to save us?" i think that's a good question. but my response would be isn't that exactly how he saves us? he gives his own life (the ultimate "sharing") so that we can be saved. and what does he suggest we do in response? take up our own cross daily and follow him... jesus leads us in the Way of generosity - the Way of Sharing so that our lives, our communities and our World can know the salvation of God.