Christmas For All Series

Christmas for All

Diversity and inclusiveness is a buzzword in corporates today. Special efforts are made to ensure that workplaces accommodate all types of people, without any prejudice to race, gender, language, sexual orientation, ethnicity etc. There are laws that forbid discrimination of any nature based on any of those parameters. Many progressive organisations make Diversity and Inclusiveness a strategic initiative.

Last time I spoke on the topic of Christmas, we examined the concept of VALUE and arrived at the conclusion that Christmas is the sufficient and necessary proof that God VALUEs people. He VALUEd people to such an extent that He sent his only begotten son so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Alpha and Omega, the Creator of the whole universe, became Emmanuel “God with us”, so that we can have a personal relationship with Him.

Let us continue to examine the theme of what makes Christmas special. The thing that struck me most about Christmas is that it is very inclusive. The message of Christmas is for all, it does not exclude anyone. The resounding message about Christmas can be summarized in the verse “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:10 ESV). The good news of great joy is meant for all the people.

Let us just examine that a bit more. Who are the people who got the Christmas message and how did they receive the same.

1. The Christmas message is for the poor: This is evident from two aspects of Christmas. The message of Christmas was first told to the poor shepherds and they received it with joy and went about taking about it to others. The birthplace of Christ was in a manger, and the reason is very simple. The poor cannot enter a palace, and hence if Christmas is to be inclusive, Christ had to be borne in a place where anyone could enter. Christ could have chosen a palace to be born. But then, then the poor could not have had the pleasure of meeting him and worshipping him, because the poor cannot enter a palace.

2. The Christmas message is for the rich: The message of Christmas did not stop with the poor. It did reach the rich and famous people at that time. It reached the richest man around, King Herod. It also reached the wise men who were obviously rich, as we can find out from their expensive gifts. They are also referred to as Magi or Kings. (remember the Christmas Carol we three kings) Once again, let us remember the place of birth, being a manger. Poor people could not have entered a palace, but rich people could always enter a manger. You see God did not want anyone to be left out of the opportunity to worship Jesus. God wanted that occasion to be inclusive.

3. The Christmas message is for the old: There are a number of old people mentioned in the Christmas story. Starting with Zechariah the priest and his wife Elizabeth, the message reached Simeon who was preserved from death only so that he could see this miracle, and Anna, the prophetess.

4. The Christmas message is for the young: We notice that Jesus’ parents themselves were young. Mary was just about 13 to 14 when she got the divine message through the Angel Gabriel. We also note that even the unborn baby John marveled at the news about the divine birth, while John was still in the womb. Later on during Jesus’ ministry He makes it clear that Children can come to him without any hinderance.

5. The Christmas message is for Men: Several men are part of the Christmas story. Joseph, Zachariah, Herod, Shepherds, Wise men etc.

6. The Christmas Message is for Women: Women are generally overlooked, in society. More so in ancient times. But not for the Christmas message, the message of “good news of great joy”. The first two people to hear about the message were actually women, Mary and then Elizabeth. It also reaches Anna the prophetess. You notice that God’s message of Christmas does not exclude any gender.

7. The Christmas message is for the “Religious”: We see that the Christmas message is conveyed to the people who could be considered as religious workers. We see at least three clear instances in Zachariah who was a priest, and Simeon and Anna who were in the prophetic profession.

8. The Christmas Message is for the non-religious: Once again, we see that the “good news of great joy” was proclaimed to people who are in all walks of life, Joseph ; a carpenter, the shepherds, a king, the wise men who were probably scholars and businessmen.