The Christmas parable

Joseph Lee L'Heureux

Peace on earth to men of goodwill, for this is the night the Christians will celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, that is, God among men! The preparations are complete except for a few of us who still have some last-minute shopping. We are all ready to celebrate with our loved ones, the believer as well as the unbeliever. We have gifts for every family member and close friend, we have all made yearly contributions to our favourite charities to make sure everyone in our rich societies are looked after. The tree is in its proper place, the decorations look beautiful, the Christmas turkey and ham are all ready for the festivities tomorrow, when we will share our gifts. Many of us will even attend our favourite service, Mass this night or tomorrow; or watch our favourite Christmas story, perhaps Scrooge in his various different roles or Miracle on 34th Street. We will all get emotional for a few hours or days and in a few more days we will all be back to the usual routine. Thinking that it’s over for another year, or this is all there is. Not realizing that good feeling and burst of love we felt for those few hours or days was actually God among Men. The Christmas story of a baby, Jesus, born in a stable is actually a parable for all time though lived out and not spoken, it is nevertheless a parable. “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables: he did not say anything to them without using a parable.” (Matthew 13:34) “With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his disciples he explained everything.” (Mark 4:33-34) Let’s look a little deeper at this living parable. Jesus came to us in poverty, not with gold, silver or power, but in humility. He came to parents willing to follow the letter of the law. They were a couple who were rejected and willing to use a stable and manger for His birth and heat from animals to warm their newborn child. He was born in a town named Bethlehem, which means “House of Bread” the parable continues. He was born in a manger, representing food for the nations. “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.” (John 1:1) That word became flesh (man). Jesus is this word. So we are not only to eat His flesh and drink his blood (John) 6:53-57) but must also study his Word. Why? Because Jesus also said, ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word (the Bible) that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) St. Luke’s parable or story also tells us, there was no room at the Inn. We must assume there was no room in private homes as well. How many private homes are there in our day where there is no room for Jesus? Or how many of our souls are ready and willing to allow Him to be Lord of our lives on a permanent basis? Not just at Christmas. We celebrate the season with joy but forget the joy giver. Jesus came that we might have this life of joy and peace daily, not just at Christmas. After Christmas this year, let’s not put Jesus away with the decorations or throw Him out with the Christmas tree. Let’s remember Him daily by keeping Him close in our hearts by making Him part of our daily life and especially worship Him on Sundays. The angels also announced to the shepherds the night of his birth: “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of goodwill.” (Luke 2:14) This is meant for all of us on a permanent basis. May God bless us all this Christmas and throughout the new year!