What Jesus would say about Christmas

Christmas is clearly a holiday for more than just Christians.  So, while Christmas may not be the most common topic for a website dedicated to the residential service industry, I think it deserves merit during this week.

Missing the Point

Have you ever been so worried about making Christmas “perfect” that it stopped being joyful?  Finding that perfect present becomes more vital than just spending time with family.  Or, the act of preparation takes away from your peace.

I have had this experience more than once.  So have you.

One of my favorite lessons of Christ is probably one that you haven’t heard.  It is the story of Martha and her sister Mary.  You can find this story in Luke 10:38-42.

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I think the point that Jesus was making was this:  Life (not just Christmas) is about time with people.  You shouldn’t miss the special moments in busyness.

Give the Big Gift

You should give the really big gift, if it is on your heart to do so.

WAIT!  I thought you were going to teach what Jesus would say.  You mean to tell me Jesus would be into the commercialization of Christmas?

If it means taking away from family and peace, no.  If it means doing something meaningful and from the heart, yes.

Jesus of all people understands the significance of giving something that costs very dearly.  Let’s evaluate his history of gift giving and receiving:

1. The 3 Wise Men.  They traveled for a long time to reach Jesus.  When they arrived, they brought him Gold and other goodies.
2. The Wedding and the Wine.  Jesus turned water into wine.  Not just any wine, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” – John 2:10.  And I want it to be known, it is my belief that this was real wine.  Not grape juice.
3. Mary Magdalen and the Perfume.  Mary poured enough expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus to feed “the poor.”  Even the disciples of Jesus called it “wasteful.”   Not Jesus.
   • ¹⁰ Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ¹¹ The poor you will always have with you,^[a] but you will not always have me. ¹² When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. ¹³ Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” – Matthew 26
4. The Work on the Cross.  Jesus is not the only one who as given his life for those he loves.  But we can all agree that this is the greatest gift, and it does not come cheaply.