The revolution that is Christmas

2 December 2020

Jesus changed the world and we're still celebrating that today

Words Lauren Martin

Just thinking about Christmas is really exciting! It makes me think again – why do I follow Jesus?

The birth of Jesus was revolutionary. Radical. Unorthodox. Mind-blowing! If we think about it – we celebrate Christmas because the God of the universe decided to visit the world in a way like no other. Without fanfare. Without an entourage. Without power and might.

The most powerful being in the universe came into our world as the most helpless. In the weakest, most vulnerable and powerless way possible – as a baby. Isn’t that just crazy?! And he wasn’t even born as a royal baby, a baby that would grow up to rule the world. No, Jesus was born in poverty. A ‘nobody’ (an illegitimate nobody, from a town of ‘nobodies’).

Then this Jesus, whom we still celebrate every Christmas Day, grows up to be a nomadic tradesman, starts his ministry with a bunch of ragtag friends (who are also ‘nobodies’), does a few healing miracles and feeds a few thousand people with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. He is then put to death because he’s saying crazy things about being the king of an alternative kingdom – a kingdom ruled by love, a kingdom where it doesn’t matter if you’re poor, or a ‘nobody’, or have done things wrong, a kingdom where you are loved and valued and worthy. That sounds like a world that I want to be a part of!

This ‘nobody’ baby turned peaceful revolutionary, dies on a cross at Easter (yes, millions around the world not only celebrate his birth, but also his death!) and the story is over. What?

But that’s where it gets interesting. People who celebrate the true meaning of Christmas every year do so because they know that the God of the universe, who came to earth as a ‘nobody’ baby, came to bring a new kind of way of living for everyone. His death on the cross was actually just the beginning of the masterplan. He gave his life as a sacrifice, to pay for the sins of all of us ‘nobodies’ and give us eternal life. Jesus changed the world, and we’re still celebrating that today.

When I celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas, I thank God that he came as a ‘nobody’. Do you know why? Because his life shows me that it doesn’t matter how much of a ‘nobody’ I am – even without wealth, or much power and with all my flaws, I, too, can be a world-changer. This happens when I follow Jesus and try to live the way he did – showing love, grace and compassion to others.

Being a person of peace and a bringer of joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control (except on those mornings when I haven’t had my coffee, of course!) – these are all ways Jesus brought his kingdom to earth, and ways that we can do the same.

By making a commitment to follow Jesus, I’ve joined his exciting plan to transform the whole world to the way it’s supposed to be – free of fear, sadness, anger, doubt, worry and all the things that weigh us down. I don’t need to be powerful. I don’t need to be rich. I don’t need to be strong, or even good-looking.

The birth of Jesus – the God of the universe – as a baby in a stable, gives me a huge sense of hope. God invites us to come to him just as we are and allow him to transform us and, through us, others, into the people of peace we are created to be.

Maybe that’s why we say “peace on earth” at Christmas time.

Will you accept his invitation this Christmas?

Lauren Martin is Assistant Editor of the Salvos’ Others magazine.