The Greatest Gift

It is December 2001and Bethlehem is in the news again! Pity any poor child born there this Christmastide surrounded by destruction and threatened by the men of war, is it any different than it was when Jesus was born? Throughout the Christian world the story of that birth is being retold. Matthew gives an account from Joseph's point of view (1:18-2:23), while Luke tells Mary's story (1:39-2:40). Both give information about place, time and visitors, from which scholars have calculated that the actual birth was more than 2001 years ago and probably in the summer. Whenever it was, what really matters is that God sent a gift of love in the form of a baby human to make his word known to us.

Jesus gave us a new commandment 'love one another' (John 13:34), which is particularly relevant in Bethlehem at the moment while members of three religious traditions (Jew, Christian and Muslim) sharing much of their scripture in common engage in hostility towards one another. Sadly it is the perceived differences, rather than knowledge of what they share, that causes the problems. Very few Christians will hear the third account of the birth of Jesus this Christmas even though it is believed by millions to have come directly from the Archangel Gabriel, as told to the Prophet Mohammed, and confirms both the virgin birth and the resurrection (The Koran 19:12-38).

Religions are the creation of man but Jesus said 'I am the way and the truth and the light…believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me' (John 14:6&11). These words were spoken the might before he was crucified and the risen Christ gave the promise 'I am with you always' (Matthew 28:20). The greatest gift anyone can receive at any time is to know that God is really with us. It changes all perceptions and is the only lasting route to peace.

May all that read these words be filled with the knowledge and love of God!

Happy Christmas,

Paul Newman

24 December, 2001

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