Fifty Years Ago with Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Christmas of 1967, Martin Luther King Jr. preached the following words: “The next thing we must be concerned about if we are to have peace on earth and good will toward men is the nonviolent affirmation of the sacredness of all human life. Every man is somebody because he is a child of God…Man is more than …whirling electrons or a wisp of smoke …. Man is a child of God, made in His image, and therefore must be respected as such.”

Christmas celebrates the greatest gift that mankind has ever received in Jesus Christ. But in receiving such a tremendous gift, we receive a correspondingly great obligation: The duty to welcome. Christ comes, but he comes for a gift exchange. He gives us his love and in return we show our love for him by giving love and kindness to all those He loves.

Christmas, therefore, takes away the option of excluding people from our care and our benevolence. God has a face now. It is a black face, a white face, an Asian face, an Indian face, an old face and a young face and all are beautiful. And in every face is visible the unique dignity of each who share the human experience.

As we celebrate Christmas, let’s adhere to Dr. King’s words. Let us recognize the value in every person, and welcome each other unconditionally, with humble hearts and respect for all. Love your neighbor. Have fun this Christmas. Worship. Judge not. Do not take offense. Hold lightly to earthly treasures, remembering the greatest treasure awaits us and hold Jesus in your heart every day of the year.

May you be blessed by the miracle of Christmas,

Nancy