I
had an encounter today that may have been this year’s inspiration and meaning
for Christmas. Today at my church, they
had the special needs adult class light the advent candle. It was not the best stage delivery of
anything, but the prayer of a mentally challenged, 40-something man I will call
Donald (not his real name) gave new meaning to what Christmas is.
Donald
started out his prayer saying the “Lord’s Prayer” (Our Father who art in Heaven
Hallowed it be thine name) but then he digressed to praying for a number of
people and things that seemed to go on and on until one of the teachers tapped
him on the arm to finish and say “men.” His prayer was all over the place. Nevertheless I left feeling that Donald said
a great prayer.
In
the end behind the Christmas tree, mistletoe, holly, Santa Claus and Rudolph is
the religious origin of Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ, who is seen as
the savior of the world. A large
question then means: What does it mean to you?
Donald’s
prayer reminded me of the original message of the Christmas story: Jesus came to earth because God loved the
world that whoever believes should
have ever lasting life. Donald was
included in the “whoever” and Donald really seems to believe.
Donald
with his prayer sent the message that belief is not tied to how high your IQ
is, how much money you have, or how beautiful you are. Belief is tied to what is inside of you and
what you believe in is important. In
the midst of all of the alternative, secular traditions, there is still an
inherent question of what do you believe in?
Of
course, it can get complicated and emotional from here because many people due
to trauma and the hypocrisy of others have problems with miracles, “God the
Father,” organized religion and even with the existence of God. Nothing can be proved to you to make you
believe or not believe. The power to
believe is the hands of one person . . . you.
Today,
Donald was like a shining star over Bethlehem showing what Christmas was
about. I hope they have Donald pray
again in church soon.
