Broad Bay Bulletin Cover by Brian Scheuzger, Sammy Scheuzger, and Anya Osborne.

Several years ago, I was invited to write a column titled, “The Meaning of Christmas.”  While I would change the title to something like “a glimpse of the meaning of Christmas,” I still like it and share it today with the hope that Jesus may be born in you this Christmastide.

The meaning of Christmas runs deeper than the creeds of our faith. Christmas is about the couple who sits down with the check book and writes checks to the church that shows God’s love, the food bank that feeds the hungry, the land trust that preserves God’s creation, or the neighbor who needs help. Christmas is about the one who shovels another’s driveway, brings food to a shut-in, or gives his coat to one who needs it. Christmas is about sharing.

At Christmas, a grandmother welcomes her gay grandson home with his Jewish partner. A Republication cousin washes dishes with the Democratic niece as they respectfully debate solutions to the current health care crisis. The teetotaler aunt passes potatoes to the slightly tipsy cousin as she laughs at his bad jokes. Christmas is about breaking the barriers between people.

At Christmas, Christians remember the birth of a poor boy to an unwed mother with no place to stay. We tell the story of Jesus’ birth where rich and educated magi, poor shepherds, and heavenly angels join together to worship a baby.

According to the gospel account in Luke, poor shepherds were living in the fields and the angel came to them and said “Do not be afraid.” Christmas is a time to remember, that even in these troubled times when fear threatens to consume us, that fear doesn’t have the last word. Christmas is about remembering a vision of God’s realm where goods and resources are shared, where God reaches out to the marginalized, and where war gives way to peace.

Jesus brought an enduring vision of peace, justice, hope, and light into the world. The meaning of Christmas is quite simple. Love neighbor. Fear Not. Share.

On Christmas Eve, the folks gathered at the Broad Bay Church will light candles in the darkness and remember one who brought and brings healing and hope into troubled hearts and a troubled world. As the sanctuary is lit with candles and I look into the faces of each person singing “Silent Night” I will glimpse again “the peace that passes all understanding.” Merry Christmas!