What We Lose When We Forget The Meaning Of Christmas

Yet, beneath the festive celebration lies a profound narrative that has shaped human consciousness for millennia: the story of Jesus’s birth. This story, often in the background in modern celebrations, offers timeless wisdom that transcends religious boundaries.

Whether you view Jesus as a historical figure or a divine incarnation, his story asks us to explore truths about love, unity, and our shared humanity. In a world drowning in division and chaos, embracing these teachings could be the key to healing our broken communities. By recognizing that God is present in every aspect of existence, in us, around us, and through us, we wake up to the reality that we are all intricate pieces of one perfect, beautiful puzzle. Straying from this awareness brings disconnection, creating turmoil that has toppled civilizations throughout history.

The Christmas story, as written in the Gospels, begins with humility and a miracle. Mary, a young woman of unwavering faith, receives a divine visitation announcing her role in giving birth to the Messiah. Joseph struggles with doubt but ultimately chooses trust and protection. In a modest stable in Bethlehem, Jesus enters the world surrounded by shepherds and wise men, symbolizing accessibility to everyone in society. This narrative isn’t merely historical or allegorical; it carries layers of meaning that continue to speak to humanity.

The Christmas story, as written in the Gospels, begins with humility and a miracle.

Jesus represents the embodiment of God’s presence in human history, a bridge between heaven and earth.

At the heart of Jesus’s teachings lies a simple yet profound principle: love as the unifying force of existence. His commandment to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31) isn’t just moral advice; it’s a blueprint for how we are meant to live together. This love isn’t a sentimental emotion but a force that binds communities together. Spiritual reflection suggests that we are created by one God and called into relationship with one another. God is everywhere, not as a distant overseer but as actively involved in creation. We’re not separate entities fighting for survival; we are meant for communion. When we love our neighbor, we dissolve the divisions that bring about conflict.

Have you ever experienced something that just couldn’t be explained? You have a question in your head and a car flies by with the answer on a bumper sticker. You think of someone and they call you five minutes later. Why do you think these things happen? If you pay attention, it happens more than you realize.

This sense of unity aligns with the puzzle metaphor: imagine the cosmos as a grand, intricate mosaic where each piece, every human, animal, plant, and even object, fits perfectly to form a whole. Without any single piece, the picture remains incomplete. Jesus’s life exemplified this; he dined with outcasts, healed the sick, and preached inclusion, showing that no one is expendable in the divine design. Mary’s role amplifies this theme. As the Theotokos, or “God-bearer,” she symbolizes trust, humility, and faith. Her “yes” to the angel’s message teaches surrender to a higher plan, trusting that our individual paths contribute to collective harmony.

History warns us of the danger when we drift from these truths. Civilizations rise and fall not just because of external forces like wars or plagues, but from internal disconnection, forgetting love of neighbor. The Roman Empire, once a beacon of innovation, crumbled amid moral decay and social fragmentation, where greed took the driver’s seat over the welfare of everyone. The Mayan civilization’s collapse has been linked to environmental exploitation and hierarchical divisions that ignored interdependence. When we prioritize ego over empathy, we create chaos: societal unrest, environmental destruction, and personal despair. Today’s world mirrors this pattern: polarized politics, inequality, divisions between identity groups, and environmental crises that suggest a collective amnesia.

It’s a reminder that beneath the holiday hustle, a moral revolution awaits, one where love dissolves barriers, unity restores balance, and care for one another prevents chaos.

We’ve fallen away from Jesus’s teachings, treating “love your neighbor” as optional rather than essential. This breeds isolation, where individuals feel like misplaced puzzle pieces, unable to see the grand design. This kind of disunity leads to downfall, as seen in the erosion of trust in our institutions and the rise of conflicts, like those between men and women, that could be averted through compassionate understanding.

Embracing these insights offers a path to renewal. By acknowledging God in all things, we build a consciousness of responsibility that heals divisions. Practices like prayer or acts of kindness realign us with this divine puzzle. Imagine a world where policies reflect “love your neighbor”: equitable resource distribution, caring about everyone (yes, men too!), empathetic diplomacy, and environmental awareness. Jesus’s parables, such as the Good Samaritan, share this vision, transcending tribal boundaries to aid the “other” as oneself. Mary’s example encourages trust and faith, reminding us that true strength lies in humility, not status-seeking and isolation.

In our fractured world, the Christmas story brings us back to these enduring truths. It’s a reminder that beneath the holiday hustle, a moral revolution awaits, one where love dissolves barriers, unity restores balance, and care for one another prevents chaos.

We are all pieces of that perfect puzzle, diverse yet indispensable. By embracing this, we honor Jesus and Mary and work toward a more harmonious existence. So as we get together this season, let’s ask: How can I love more fully? How can I see God in the stranger?

Merry Christmas, Evie readers!