For Those Who Don't Believe: A Christmas Story for All

by Rev. Jennifer Ryu
For Bible-believing Christians, the season of Jesus’ birth is a precious and sacred time. Yet, even those of us who do not regard the Bible literally find deep meaning in its pages. We are challenged by the lessons Jesus taught and are called to his vision of unbounded love. Without denigrating or demeaning the lens through which others read the Bible, I offer my own understanding of the Christmas Story.

Of the four Gospels in the Christian Bible, two of them tell the story of Jesus’ birth: Matthew and Luke. These two versions are not the same; the characters are different and the places and events are different.

It doesn’t matter what those details are or which story is more historically accurate. What is important is that these stories were written by people who struggled with life just like we do.

These people had wonderful imaginations. They were able to imagine radiant angels, humble shepherds; bright stars, wise men and, of course, a baby born in a stable surrounded by animals.

In many churches, the version by Luke is often recounted on Christmas Eve. The world that the writer of Luke describes is a world ruled by a powerful Emperor. This was no ordinary Emperor. This was Caesar Augustus. His very name was mighty, meaning most exalted–most high. He held ultimate power over the land, and many people started to think of this man as God.

But this man took things from the people so that he could buy more land for himself. He took their most valued possessions so that he could gain more power and wealth for himself.

Luke, who loved God with all his heart, grew angry at the idea that his neighbors were treating the Emperor like God. After all, only God was God.

Luke was a devoted follower of Jesus. He studied the teachings of Jesus and agreed with his message of loving your neighbor and valuing each and every person no matter if they were poor or if they were this religion or that religion.

It didn’t matter—every person had worth and dignity.

And so Luke wrote a story to get his readers to think about whom they wanted to serve. Will it be Ceasar or will it be God? Will it be the man who insists that we strain our necks to look up to him, or will it be God, the one who comes to us, nestles in our very hearts and tells us:

Each one of you is favored.

You don’t have to be rich and live in a big house.

You don’t have to have a powerful job.

You don’t have to be smart or go to the best school.

You don’t have to wear designer clothes or go far away for your vacations.

Your family doesn’t have to look a certain way

You can be a young, unmarried couple, with a child on the way.

You can be born, not in a hospital, but in a feeding trough full of hay.

No matter how we hold the Christmas story, if we are willing to stop serving the masters of material excess and start serving the light inside our hearts, we will find peace and love this holiday season.

Jennifer Ryu has been serving the Unitarian Universalist congregation in Williamsburg for five years. This is her first parish ministry since graduating from seminary in 2005. Rev. Jennifer’s prior career was in human resources and information systems. She was born in South Korea and became a naturalized U.S. citizen when she was 11 years old.

Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists

3051 Ironbound Road (near Five Forks intersection)

www.wuu.org

Holiday Events & Worship at Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists

Friday, Dec. 9:

Family Yule Sing, 5:30 pm. Trim the tree with handmade crafts, sing our favorite carols, and enjoy yummy snacks.

Thursday, Dec. 22:

Caroling with Chili Supper, 6:30 pm. After we warm up our bellies, we will visit local senior communities.

Saturday, Dec. 24: 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Pageant “The Spirit of the Christmas Tree” a Unitarian Universalist service for All Ages
9:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Sunday, Dec. 25: One Service at 11:15 a.m. All Ages Christmas Day Service with Rev. Jennifer Ryu