Posted by
Jim Hunt on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 2:55:11 PM
On this, the penultimate day of the Christmas season, I want to reflect briefly on the meaning of this time for ALL the people of the world. Whatever your beliefs, whether Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, agnostic, atheist, or other, this is a time where a significant portion of the world’s population pauses to reflect on the lessons of a man who lived two millennia ago. Whether you believe Jesus was the son of God and the Messiah or not, his message of love resonates for all mankind.
Jesus sought to right wrongs wherever he saw them, sometimes by direct and even violent action (the destruction of the market in the temple). He taught us to treat all people with equal love and kindness, regardless of their station in life, color of their skin, gender, or physical handicap. He taught us that the least among us could make the greatest gifts and that wealth was in no way an indicator of goodness. But most of all he taught us to treat everyone as we would want to be treated.
The story of Jesus of Nazareth compels us to work to guarantee freedom around the world. Jesus’ word was the word of freedom and love and peace. For anyone who truly treats others as they would themselves be treated is unlikely to hold anyone else in slavery or revel in holding power over others.
The Founding Fathers felt this issue so important that they made it the very first item to be protected in the Bill of Rights. Ahead of freedom of speech, press, and assembly come TWO specific clauses protecting religion. The first ensures that the government cannot impose any particular denomination or religion upon us, and the second is supposed to ensure that the government cannot limit our free expression of religion. Unfortunately this latter protection has been nearly wiped out by recent court decisions. It is clear that the Founders never meant to remove religion from the public square or from our government. However, I don’t want to go into that right now.
This is a season of love and forgiveness. In these difficult times, let us remember those less fortunate than ourselves. Not just those here in America where we have so much, but all those around the world living in oppression and poverty. From Cuba and Venezuela to Iran and China people are living in fear, repression, and conditions that we simply can’t imagine. In Iraq, conditions are improving after 30 years of terror and five years of war. The Iraqi people now have the opportunity to take advantage of freedom if they can learn the lessons and grow to respect each other.
Let us all remember, that no matter who we are, no matter how much or how little we have, we are blessed to live in a country that tries to uphold the ideals of freedom and peace around the world. We don’t always do it right, but we stand for what is right.
“Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord… Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men.”
Merry Christmas and God Bless America