~
He was born in a stable.
A common man
Who roused those like him.
So despised by the powerful,
They crucified him.
He never asked that it be done,
But he was crowned king
And religions were born in his name.
He never asked that it be done,
But countless wars were fought
and legions slaughtered 'neath his banner.
He never asked that it be done,
But empires and civilizations
were overturned
And a New World was consecrated in his name.
1,973 years later,
He is still being crucified.
He never asked that it be done,
But an army of soulless preachers,
Corrupt politicians,
Causes and charities
Take in his name.
What he did ask be done,
To overcome our animus
Toward one another,
We have yet been unable to do.
He never asked that it be done,
But this simple man's birth is celebrated
In one of the happiest seasons of the year.
While profiting greatly from the season,
Those who despise him
Try to strip his name from the day
As if to re-crucify him.
He is buried again
In an orgy of lights and gifts.
Those who truly love him
Shake their heads in quiet sadness.
But take solice.
In nearly two thousand years
Of despising him,
Deriding his divinity,
Discrediting his teachings,
Denying his very existance,
Mocking his followers,
Burning his written words,
Tearing down his symbols,
Profiting in his name,
Belittling him with plastic figurines,
Even beheading his followers,
No one has been able to extinguish his light.
For in him is something bigger
And stronger than all these other things,
Something brighter than all the season's lights,
A gift more precious than all those fancy wrappings.
Not everyone understands it
Or is able to feel this joy,
But those who do
Ensure his birth will be celebrated
Forever.
May the true Light of Christmas be upon you.
~
