The Reason for the Season

From my perspective, the tradition of Christmas celebration is an important aspect of American culture. However, Christians should remember that the reason for this season is to commemorate the birth of Christ who is the founder of our religion. I would suggest that we, His followers should give careful consideration to his teachings about how to react to other people. Reading the three chapters in the book of Matthew which document His famous Sermon on the Mount, one can hardly find justification for an in-your-face response to those who are nonbelievers and object to public observance of the religious holiday. There are specific instructions about turning the “other cheek,” loving our enemies, and even praying for those who treat us poorly.

Further, the depiction of the judgment day given in the 25th chapter of Matthew’s tome should be instructive to Christian believers. Here Christ identifies the things which are most important in terms of behavioral norms for the Christian. All of them have to do with how we treat other people, especially those who are at the lower end of the social scale. “Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto Me,” is the standard to be applied on that fateful day. Some conservatives decry this as “social gospel,” and so it may be. However, any true Christian believer would be well advised to integrate this gospel in their daily lives.

Now, I’m not talking about anything related to politics or the Church, or any other organization. What I am suggesting is that true believers treat others as the Christ of Christmas has suggested. This is an individual mandate, more than one that’s to be carried out by the government or some other organization. It is the reason for this season that in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ we would be brought back to his basic teachings while He was here on earth. The world would be a much better place if more people would follow the tenets of Christianity as taught by Jesus.

Here is wishing a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the readers of this blog.