Humans have an insatiable desire to know everything about their celebrities. Today the birth of the child of a world leader would get massive TV coverage. Communication was fairly primitive when Jesus was born and Mary and Joseph were not world leaders or they would have acquired better accommodations in Bethlehem. Notwithstanding, the accounts in Luke and Matthew tell us of a substantial celebration of Jesus’ birth among the shepherds and magi, a celebration that almost cost Jesus his life. According to the account in Matthew, the threat from a jealous King Herod made it necessary for Mary and Joseph to escape to Egypt to protect their new baby. As a result, his life during childhood and youth was probably protected by anonymity which was also needed to protect his message.

The actual day and year he was born are still a bit uncertain. Was it in the winter or early spring, 0 AD or -4 BC? Even though there is much we don’t know about the birth of Jesus, in our 21st Century it is a birthday well worth celebrating. The quality of human life has improved dramatically since then and much of it can be traced back to his presence on Earth. Physicist, Paul Sabine once wrote in his book, Atoms, Men, and God, the following: “Implicit in its (Christianity’s) teachings are the ethical and social ideals of the dignity and worth of the individual, of human freedom, equality and brotherhood that are the spiritual foundations of a democratic society, and the only possible basis for a world order of peace and good will.”

Here’s to Jesus, our wonderful leader and coach! It’s his birthday. Let’s celebrate!!

Peace is found in prayer.
Robert C. Frank