Christmas can be a time of immense sadness for many people, as feelings of loneliness or family hurt can be intensified. Yet Christmas is designed to be a time of joy, regardless of circumstances. This is not because our attention is drawn to a cute little baby; but because we celebrate why this baby came. Jesus came to change religion forever!
Every single world religion (with the exception of biblical Christianity) says humans are saved through their moral superiority; i.e. we get to heaven through our good deeds. Yet this principle can only lead to either (i) pride, or (ii) despair. Despair, because we know we cannot even live up to their own pathetically low standards, let along God’s. Pick one bad habit (anger, greed, lust, gossip) and see if you can go just a week with it. Pride, because if we trick ourselves into thinking we ARE good enough, then we will look down on any who cannot live up to our standards. As such, every other world religion makes the world a sadder place, as well as a more judgmental place.
Yet Jesus came not to give us an example of moral superiority, but to take our moral failures away. He did this by taking upon himself (on the cross) the punishment our moral failures deserve. As such, Jesus is the only religious figure who can bring true joy, because his followers know there is nothing we need to do, to prove we’re worthy of heaven; Jesus has done it for us. Furthermore, Jesus is the only religious figure who makes the world a more loving and inclusive place. Why? Because Christians cannot look down on others. Jesus had to die for our moral failures just like he had to die for everyone else’s. So rejoice as Christians this Christmas; for Jesus has taken our moral failures away.
Brendan McLaughlin
