Honoring Jesus’s Birthday
Normally, we honor people on their birthday by throwing a party for them, buying gifts, making a cake, and doing other things that make that person feel special. This year, instead of repeating the story of Jesus’s life and ministry, I am going to teach you how to honor, celebrate, and give the gift of yourself to Jesus. I believe He would prefer that over us repeating the Christmas story found in the Book of Luke.
When we honor someone on their birthday, we normally get their favorite cake and give them personalized/special gifts that make them happy. It is different for each person, just as what would make Jesus happy is very different than just quoting the same scriptures year after year from the Book of Luke. Now, I am not downplaying the value of reading and teaching younger generations all about the conception, life, and resurrection of Jesus by reading Luke every December, but this Christmas I want to HONOR Him by giving Him a special gift for His birthday.
Jesus is love, and He commands us to love. John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
By the standard of Jesus, we are to love everyone unconditionally. Jesus was ignored, mocked, and betrayed by some of His best friends/disciples and suffered crucifixion on the cross ordered by the Roman government (to please the mob of people). His crucifixion on the cross was attended only by Roman soldiers mocking Him, one of His 12 disciples (John), His mother, and Mary Magdalen. As you can see, He suffered as many of us suffer (human rejection and mistreatment), but at the end of His earthly life, He did three very important things: One, He asked God to forgive those who were doing this to Him. Two, He forgave the thief next to Him who repented. Three, He manifested in His incarnate body to many people, building faith and reiterating His promise of eternal life. All of these things taught us the true definition of “real” love!
John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
As a career military member who has witnessed the most difficult sacrifices, and all of us pledging to give everything we have, up and to, including our lives, I understand the pain and suffering that comes from a commitment such as “losing your life for the benefit of your friends.” It is extremely stressful and takes a tremendous amount of commitment, discipline, and dedication. For Jesus, it meant He loved ALL people more than His own earthly life. For military people, it means loving your country and fellow brothers and sisters more than your own safety, security, and life.
Jesus teaches us true love by willingly giving His life, time, and energy ministering to the poorest or the poor while being mocked by the religious leaders and civilian society. He taught us that of all the sacrifices we can make, giving up our life to save the lives of others is the most loving and honorable act a human can commit. He also taught us to forgive even the gravest of sins while He hung from the cross, suffering the most painful kind of death while surrounded by only those who mocked Him and three devoted people who proved they loved Him more than their lives.
Luke 23:34 “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.”
Luke 23:39-43 “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: 'Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
In Jesus’s last moments on earth, after being beaten, mocked, and deserted by His friends, He did not spend that time wallowing in self-pity. He displayed mercy and grace to the thief next to Him, who acknowledged who Jesus was and that He was innocent of any wrongdoing. His faith and love for Jesus resulted in his eternal life with Jesus despite what he had done on earth.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus displayed unconditional love over and over, especially for those society saw as outcasts. He did not withhold His love, teaching, and guidance just because other people rejected and hurt Him. As we celebrate His birthday, thus celebrating His life, we should give Him the gift that would mean the most to Him. It’s not physical gifts to each other, and it isn’t a huge feast and football.
The way we can honor the birth and sacrificial life of Jesus is to LOVE Him and LOVE other people UNCONDITIONALLY, despite what others have done to us. Remembering the “reason for the season” isn’t just about repeating Jesus’s life story, but it is SHOWING gratitude and honor by LOVING as He taught and commanded us to love Him, the Father, and each other. Amen.
Merry Christmas with blessings, lov,e and servitude, Lisa ><>
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