WHAT DO WE CELEBRATE AT CHRISTMAS?

TV interviewers have asked people what the millennium celebrates. What event occurred two thousand years ago? Many do not know what to say. They don't know the story. So, what's the story?

When it comes to Christmas, we are not celebrating baby Jesus. Both creation and covenant precede the Christ. First, we remember that God's story begins with creation. In creating God manifests immense charity, care, and commitment. God does not and will not abandon what God declared good.

The divine story deepens when God creates covenant ties with Abraham and Sarah. If nations want to know the depth of God's commitment to humankind, they can review Israel's history and sacred texts. As Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel said, Israel is an echo of eternity. Israel's sacred texts reveal immense struggle. Humans posture autonomy, state their independence from God. Humans disrespect creation and dominate other creatures. Humans get cozy with evil and consort with darkness. But ultimately conversion turns people back to God's purpose. Israel is a community of concern, gratitude, and peace (see Isaiah 62:1-9).

Our Sunday gatherings for the next year are nourished by the Gospel of Matthew. This Gospel, a text that addresses Christian relationship with Judaism, announces that Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us in human flesh. Jesus' roots are in Galilean Judaism. Joseph understands who this child is through a dream. "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." This fulfilled what the Lord had communicated through the prophet Isaiah: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means God is with us." Joseph did as he was instructed (see Mt1:8-24). Matthew 1:1-4:22 marks the beginnings of the Jesus story. The infancy story and the prologue of Matthew tell Jesus' origins. These early Chapters point to the deeper, fuller story.

Matthew's story is that Jesus, son of Abraham, son of David, will minister healing, offer wisdom, teach word-pictures (parables), and gather disciples. He will instruct his disciples by word and example. He will proclaim God's reign, beginning with Israel and extending to all nations. The story's climax comes when Jesus, the innocent Jewish martyr, faces the passion and a brutal death. The Roman centurion beneath the cross gets the story right: "Truly, this was the Son of God." Death is not the end. The Risen Christ calls disciples to bring the good news to all nations. He is among us still -- when we hear the Word, break the bread, serve those heavily burdened, do works of justice and charity, mercy and compassion, and pray in solitary and in public.

Before Christmas read Matthew 1:1-4:22. Then remember the entire story. Finally, offer heartfelt affection and gratitude.

Emmanuel is still among us, is still being birthed in human history herstory.