Humans are as unique in the animal kingdom as Christianity is among world religions. Evidence strongly suggests that humans are fundamentally different than other animals. I believe that our very uniqueness as a species indicates the existence of God. It seems to me that humanity as a concept for higher moral behavioral traits can only exist if humans were created in the image of a higher power. Without God there is no humanity. For we would no longer be a unique creation, but would be no better, no worse, no more special than any other animal. We would not understand mortality.
Without a moral soul from God there would be no right or wrong…only survival of the fittest. Our sole focus would be to do whatever it takes to obtain our next meal and propagate the species. Nothing would deter the violent methods needed to be successful at either of these two tasks.
There would be no such thing as a conscience. You couldn’t afford to have one anymore than a lion, tiger or shark can afford a conscience. The softer human traits like love and kindness would have been evolutionary death sentences. Just like any other animal on this earth, we would merely be another link in a food chain where only the strong survive.
Of course, if here is no God there would be no need for religion. However, even the earliest humans sought out gods and practiced forms of religious rites. They had burial ceremonies for their dead and offered sacrifices to either win favor or appease gods. So seriously did they seek out gods, that not only human, but child sacrifice was commonly practiced throughout the world. In some cultures on a massive scale. A rather counter-productive evolutionary trait.
Generation after generation, culture after culture, religion after religion, humans have sought out gods. In all of the other religions of this world people seek God. Only in the Christian faith does God seek people.
The God of Christians does not ask for sacrifice, he asks for obedience. What does he require of us? Jesus summarized all of the commandment’s into two. To love God with all of our heart, soul and mind, and to love one another as we would like to be loved.
The Christian God does not ask for sacrifice from us, he sacrificed for us. In the birth of his only son Jesus Christ in Bethlehem over two millennia ago, God sought to save us, just because he loves us. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
God seeking us is the true meaning of Christmas. Sadly, if you don’t learn about the birth of Jesus the Christ and ask him into your heart you are missing out on the only part of the holiday season, and life, that brings real joy and peace.
Jesus is the Christ in Christmas. Without him all you are doing is having one big commercial gift exchange. Great for the economy, not so great for our world or your soul…..just saying.
The Swedish Farmer's Daughter 