Christmas, as we know it, has story value, not historic. We know nothing about the early life of Jesus, but we make some guesses. Born in Nazareth, quite possibly traveling with his father to the city Sepphoris looking for day work, and experiencing everywhere the oppression of the poor by the rich and powerful. The story we have inherited is a story of kindness, joy, and love. Into the misery so common comes a savior from God, born in a manger because there was no room in the inn, visited by shepherds and kings from afar bringing gifts. With the magic the story brings, we are somehow reminded of who we are meant to be, kind and loving people. 

That’s where the story meets reality, because that loving kindness that we feel at Christmas is exactly what Jesus did in his time and place. He taught how to be a loving person and he exemplified that kind of life in his own life. Jesus incarnated the human wholeness and happiness that is the birthright of all. And people saw and heard. They learned and lived love. That lesson was such a threat to the oppressing rich and powerful that they crucified him. That, however, was not the end, as the story continues. There were those who believed that the story carried on, that he who was crucified lived on, that a new reality was experienced in their midst. The story of Christmas has yet to end, and continues in the goodness and goodwill of our everyday lives. It may be that there are others such as he in different times and places, in distant galaxies or on the other side of earth, but for us, right here and right now, we are given a light, and a hope-certainty that loving-kindness is our truth and our destiny.

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Carl Krieg, Ph.D. received his BA from Dartmouth College, MDiv from Union Theological Seminary in NYC, and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School. He is the author of What to Believe? the Questions of Christian Faith,   The Void and the Vision,  The New Matrix: How the World We Live In Impacts Our Thinking About Self and God and How The Rich Stole Jesus. As professor and pastor, Dr. Krieg has taught innumerable classes and led many discussion groups. He lives with his wife Margaret in Norwich, VT.