Letters at Christmas Time

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Dear Eirene,
Having a less than wonderful time. Wish you were here…

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

When it’s cold outside, we naturally come to where it’s warm – into your arms.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Dear Virginia,
No, there is no Santa Claus – just me.”

[No, He didn’t say it. Sometimes I might – but see below.]

D. Blog: Yes, Virginia

Dear Virginia,

You ask about Baby Jesus – was he real or is it all just a story?

As real as Santa Claus – that’s the short answer. He’s the reason, in fact, for remembering Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus). Like St. Nicholas, Jesus has a lot of speculation and legend attached to him. But Baby Jesus and Santa Claus were real human beings before they became the stuff of legends.

Nothing about the stories of Jesus’ birth can be verified as factual. Yet those stories are true. They say:

- a great light of hope accompanied Jesus when he came into the world (thus, the star);
- his birth signified good news for common humanity (thus, the shepherds and what the angel told them);
- his life would free/save millions of people from guilt and sin and oppression (thus, the song of Mary and the message of the angels);
- at his birth, something of divinity became visible in this world (thus, wise men following the heavenly star, an infant king - but more - for David’s throne, and a choir of angels);
- his reign does not depend on wealth or powerful armies or social position (thus, a lowly birth in a stable, to an unwed mother, with shepherds to observe);
- wise ones acknowledge his reign, for he embodied peace between God and humanity (thus, the wise men and the proclamation of the angel);
- at his birth, rulers on earth felt threatened because he challenges all oppressive systems (thus, Mary’s song and Herod’s reaction to Jesus’ birth).

So, Virginia, the Baby Jesus is real and the stories about him are true. His arrival in this world represents God’s gift of love to all humanity and we should celebrate his birth for all we’re worth. I think Santa Claus would agree.

Merry Christmas!