There are people who believe Jesus of Nazareth never existed. Some say he is just a made up figure while others agree he probably did exist several thousand years ago but deny the stories told about him in the ancient writings. They dismiss these as myths and fables. Yet here is an individual who has impacted the entire planet like no other.

How?

For one, our calendar has divided time by his birth. BC and AD (meaning Before Christ and In The Year of our Lord). Yes, modern man has tried to change that to Before Common Era and Common Era (BCE and CE). The irony, of course, is that what distinguishes BCE from CE is still the birth of Jesus of Nazareth!

Then there are at least two holidays celebrated around the globe that commemorate him ... Easter and Christmas. While the dates for both do vary in some places, both are celebrated world-wide. Yes, there are places that do not celebrate these days, just as there are people who do not celebrate them. The facts are however that the majority of the planet does celebrate these days in one way or another. And yes, many who celebrate these holidays give no thought to what they stand for. But they participate!

Among ancient manuscripts and writings there are more existing copies of stories about him than there are of famous people who have influenced society through the ages such as Homer, Socrates and Plato.

One man, born several thousand years ago in a small village in a seemingly insignificant Middle Eastern nation, somehow impacted history, cultures and practices throughout the entire world! And though he did not come to start a new religion, yet there are billions of people on this planet who acknowledge him in their religion whether christian or otherwise!

It would be good to take time this year and remember The Reason for the Christmas Season.

Jesus wept,
but first, He screamed.

God with lungs
singing to the stars
breathing in Bethlehem
murmuring mysteries
in a mother tongue
only known to babes
and angels.

There He lay
in the lap of humanity.
Utterly vulnerable.
Never again
can we declare
that God is distant
and does not know
what it's like to be fragile
and in need.

I imagine the first scream was long
loud
proud
announcing His own arrival and
demanding salvation
from the shock of elements
and endless thirst -
milk from a breast in the beginning,
vinegar from a sponge in the end.

'Thirsty'
David Tensen

Merry Christmas!

--
Ele era velho.
Ele era corajoso.
Ele era feio.