This morning I had an UNexpected reality. Surprises that go outside what is expected can bring a plethora of emotions, but surprises are part of the "expectations" of Christmas. I opened my Bible and read this out of Colossians chapter one:
5 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
I've read this countless times, but this Christmas morning I couldn't help but notice the word "all." For those of you that know me I'm really hung up on semantics, especially when it comes to a book that was written in three different languages, 2000+ years ago. I love breaking down words in their original context and trying to understand what the author was trying to communicate. In the midst of this deconstruction, there was one word I couldn't deconstruct. It was the word "ALL." ALL: everything, the whole, the greatest possible quality, each and every one. It covers EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY.
I don't know about you, but there are a lot of things I don't agree with, organizations I don't like, and things I just don't enjoy--about myself and others. In spite of what I agree with, like, or believe in, ALL encompasses all of that (I know that is kind of a weird sentence but stay with me). Now, when we start plugging different words/substitutions for Christmas (happy holidays, merry xmas, etc), some people get offended because religiously, they think it is leaving "Christ" out of Christmas. Yet, according to the verses above, Christ created it all anyway, even if His name isn't in it...if you believe ALL is all, and not just some.
You could go as far as saying that God, through Christ, is even reconciling all religions and religious holidays unto himself because ultimately it was all created by him in the first place and then went astray somewhere. Therefore, Merry Christmas, X-mas, Happy Holidays, Eid, Yule, kwanza, umoja, kujichagulia, ujima, nia, Imani, and any other quasi religious Christmas. Ultimately, the announcement of this reconciliation by the angels was not, "we are starting an exclusive religion that has the right holidays for you to celebrate" but, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." (Luke 2:10)
Are we afraid of "good news" that will cause great joy for ALL (there is that word again) people in spite of religious affiliation or how they say "Christmas." Is "Christ" bigger than holidays and what we expect. If we could get over personal expectations that create our own personal reality, we will enter into a reality that is much bigger and full of joy. This Christmas I'm glad my expectations were surprisingly interrupted by a bigger reality than the one I've created. So, whatever you are celebrating today or tomorrow, I stand with you as a fellow member of the human race being reconciled to God. What great news! I'm not here to fight or be "right," I just want to experience this "great joy" with ALL people. I guess the only thing I can expect from here are new experiences that will create a greater consciousness of what already is. Have a great Christmas!!
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