Christmas is not a department store experience. Christmas is a family experience. Jesus was born into a family system, not in isolation. Socio-religiously Christmas is a model for self-respect and self-liberation from sin. In the days of Jesus, Jerusalem was considered the spiritual center of the world. Thus, the Cross of Jesus is the pivotal point on which all human history turns. Therefore, the Cross orders life, and informs us concerning what is at the center of life, and what is on the periphery of life. Hence, the Cross demands that we do not confuse outward appearance with inward reality, because the Cross demands a decision, and oftentimes an opportunity only comes once, and we may not perceive its merits or value. This America is the real meaning of Christmas, and the opportunity has come, what shall we do with it? As Christians, we have been called by God, and we have a peculiar burden to bear and a difficult collective responsibility to share, especially in the era of MAGA Trumpism. No doubt about it, we need the life and teachings of Jesus Christ to show us the way back home, because we have the tendency to look down rather than look-up, because all our help comes from God, not ungodly men. Look higher, look higher America, God is watching us, because the higher we look more spiritual insight we gain concerning the real meaning of life. We need the life of Jesus Christ for two reasons: (1) we have become too cynical about life, and cynicism destroys faith as well as personalities. And, secondly, the life and teachings of Jesus is a model for self-liberation, taking the chains off our minds. The eternal question for every individual has always been: what is the meaning of life? Thus, the problem of individual existence in society is essentially a religious question, and the life of Jesus is the formula that we must follow for self-liberation. First and foremost, every individual must learn to cope with death and resolve one’s own personal death, even Jesus had to cope with the issue […]
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