WEEKLY COMMENTARY: The Essence of Christmas

The Book of Luke (17:11-19) tells this story about Jesus.  He was on his way to Jerusalem and passed through a village on the border of Samaria and Galilee.  At the edge of that village ten men who had leprosy met him.  They stood at a distance and called out in loud voices, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

Leprosy was a disfiguring disease.  Lepers were considered "unclean" and were required to keep a distance from others.  Only after being declared healed and "clean" by a priest could a leper re-enter society.

When he saw them, Jesus said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests."  And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of the lepers, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.  He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him ---- and he was a Samaritan! This was surprising because Jews at that time generally despised Samaritans as ethnic and religious half-breeds.

Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed?  Where are the other nine?  Are none of them to return and give praise to God, except this foreigner?"  Then Jesus said to the Samaritan, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."  

Suppose you were one of the "other nine."  How would you rationalize not going back to Jesus to say "thanks"?  Perhaps you couldn't find Jesus.  Or, you weren't grateful enough to make the effort.  Maybe, now that you had what you wanted you simply moved on to other things.  Or, were you too busy being reunited with family and friends. Were you interested only in the miracle, not in the one providing it?

At this Christmas time, how do we express our gratitude to God for the daily unearned miracles of our lives?  Are we one of those who is more interested in what God can do for us than in God himself?  You probably don't neglect thanking your friends and family for things they have done for you!

Do you see that Jesus will have healed or "cleansed" you at times in the past?  How do you need "cleansing" now?  Perhaps it is time to thank God for entering our lives through the birth of Jesus, which is the essence of Christmas ---- its not just personal gifts and hugs.  If we forget to thank God, whom do we thank for the unearned miracles we have been given?

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These thoughts are brought to you by the Central Adult Spiritual Development Team, hoping to encourage your spiritual growth this season.

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