Christmas Message 2018

It is Christmas 2018; the time when we commemorate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. But why should a figure born 2000 years ago not only be remembered, but also revered?  Why is Christianity, with its 2.3 billion members, the world's number one religion?  Why is the message of Jesus more influential than the philosophies of Solon, Aristotle, Buddha, Confucius, and Muhammad?   More than any other teacher or philosopher in the history of the world, Jesus of Nazareth presented a message of love and hope that was not just revolutionary, but transformative and exalting.  Jesus Christ elevated the entire human family based on a message of humility, faith, and love.  For this and other reasons, Christians not only revere Jesus as a great philosopher, or prophet, but He is the promised Messiah, and the only begotten Son of the Living God.

For 4000 years up to that point, most humans had lived a fear-based existence. Men and women conquered and prospered according to their strength and genius, and triumphed according to the strength of their own will.  This fear- and power-based philosophy has plagued Earth's 6000-year, war-ridden history. But Jesus Christ, came from the presence of Our Heavenly Father to reveal to man that true enduring safety, prosperity, meaning, and happiness are not obtained by exerting our own will on the university, but by submitting our will to the will of Our Heavenly Father.   (not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matt 26:39)

What revolutionary things did Jesus Christ teach?  Here is an abridged list:

1. Christ taught that if we changed how we think, humans could become a new elevated species. Christ taught that humans can transform themselves by how they think and that we could become like Him and share in His divine nature.

Proverbs 23:7 (Matt 5:28) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.

John 3:3 no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in  Christ, he is a new creature.

Matt 19:26  with God all things are possible.

2.  Christ's Beatitudes teach that virtue, and power does not depend on the strength of your arm, genius, or but the strength of your character, self-restraint, and the mastery of your passions.   Animals are slaves to their fears, instincts and appetites.  What makes human's higher than the animals is that we can be motivated instead by faith, hope, and love (charity).  Christ taught that a true son of God is humble, teachable, merciful, peacemakers, and patiently endure persecution.

3. Jesus Christ taught the value of all human life.  Christ taught what is known as the "Golden Rule" to love one another and to serve and forgive even the least of our brothers and sisters because we are all part of the same heavenly family.  

  

John 13:34 Love one another. As I have loved you.

Matt 25:40 Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Luke 6:31 do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Matt 18:21 how of shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?... seventy times seven.

1 John 3:3 now are we the sons of God.... when he shall appear, we shall be like him.

4. Jesus warned us to not be entitled, narcissistic, and self-absorbed in our own suffering or self-importance.  Christian disciples were encouraged to forgive, endure persecution, agree with our adversaries quickly, and to carry our cross.  

Matt 10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Mark 8:34 If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

5. Jesus Christ exemplified a life of empathy which culminated in the Atonement and death on the cross.   Christ didn't just talk about doing good, The Creator of Heaven and Earth, condescended to take upon flesh, and be born in the humblest of circumstances. He walked the perfect walk culminating in taking upon himself the sins of all mankind.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.

Alma 7:13 the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people... that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according o their infirmities.

6. Finally, Christ overcame death and hell resurrecting from the dead and assending into heaven to stand at the right side of The Father.  Not only that, Jesus Christ called forth many of the dead from the grave who were restored to life.  Also, many prisoners in spirit prison had the gospel preached to them.  Thus, Christ gave us hope after death, such that we no longer need to constantly live in fear of our impending death.  Instead, through Christ, we can endure hardship and live with faith, and hope of a better world here and in the world to come. 

Matt 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, just as he said.

1 Cor. 15:55 O death, where is they sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Matt 16:18 the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

1 Peter 3:19 (Isa 61:1-2) By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.

John 14:3 I go and prepare a place for you;... that where I am, there ye may be also.

2 Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight for glory.