It started long, long ago. The story seems superior to all stories in its unbelievable nature. So, that generation after generation tells and retells it with deliberate and varying flourishes.

Perhaps, its impossible for a human being to tell a story without emphasizing that which is most near one’s own experience. Maybe we communicate truth that we instinctively ‘know’ to be true. We don’t tell stories we were told as children are true- not with much enthusiasm anyway. We share, live, and animate truth we have experienced. Those are the stories that live on and on.

Christmas miracles touch on what is sacred and almost forbidden knowledge in the some circles. That the Creator of the universe would come to earth as a baby, to save us from the darkness of this world is the story. And, every generation tells the story and each is correct to tell it although with its own colloquialisms and flare. It’s the people that don’t tell the story but guard it with gargoyle- like glares that concern me.

This ‘gift’ is viewed as suspect to religious people. Like, when I said: “I received the gift of Christmas, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God!” The priest responded angrily: “You cannot not know God.“

I noticed the priest seemed uncertain whether anyone may enter the kingdom of God – even after following all the rules and regulations espoused by his order. There was a wide breach between me and the kingdom of God according to him. And uncertainty on every side.

I wonder whether the religious mind missed the concept of the “gift?” A present is what we receive. But, can never earn?

Life itself can be suffering, grinding us in to dust from whence we came. My concern is the weighty rules and regulations designed to save our souls may have the opposite effect of liberty that such gift portends? Jesus warns about leaders heaping burdens on people they cannot bear.

Anyhow, I am not a theologian. Perhaps I am only the prerequisite child that simply believes what Jesus says? Christ came as a gift for us all- and not only the superstar pastors on t.v. or priests in monasteries. That is a terrible distortion. Bordering on a complete fiction. See:

“How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. You don’t enter it yourselves, and you don’t permit others to enter when they try. (Matthew 23:13).

Jesus is our intermediary between God and man. He is the door through which all may enter! And, He is Love. Remember that above all else. See John 10:9.

Religious elites may disapprove enthusiasm of the laity, or doubt my claim that God really desires to be with us. And Is with us. They may be frozen like statues trying to appear worthy- trying to do everything right- which is that impossible burden I mentioned earlier.

But, Christmas miracles happen all the time- not just at Christmas. God reaches down giving His gift of Love, His Son. So, that all may be saved through Him which is His greatest desire (I Timothy 2:4).