The Meaning Of This Christmas

There's a story called The Legend Of The Christ Child which illustrates what I want to share with you tonight. It is a short one; family calls.

This story, translated from the German in 1891, is about a little child wandering through a cold city, looking for warmth and shelter, no where to be found. Every where, it is met with indifference, till finally in the poorest of hovels, is welcomed in.

And that kindness illuminates the whole room, so that it is more than the richest of homes.

The wars of the world created a wave of human refugees met with indifference and hostility. Just as with the Christ Child..

"One mother feared he might have some
ugly disease which her darlings would catch ; another
father said he had only enough for his own children,
and none to spare for beggar brats. Still another told
him to go home where he belonged, and not to trouble
other folks."

Maybe much of the world feels that way. But Canadians have in great measure welcomed the news we might be allowing up to 50,000 refugees by next year. They will be lifted in, at a cost borne by all us Canadians.

So there is good after all, but that isn't the point of this story.

There was a knock on my door this morning and it was the neighbourhood Adventists with their literature. So I thanked them and wished a Merry Christmas. They replied, "oh, but we don't celebrate Christmas".. Well, aren't I glad they woke me up then? :)

The meaning of this Christmas is that God doesn't care how you observe rules or what religion you belong to or whether you believe or not. God doesn't care about the colour of your skin or your gender or who you love.

Only, that you show love, and kindness. To every one.