What it means this year

I've been thinking about Christmas already, trying to figure out how I feel about this year.
       What it means this year.
       What I am celebrating this year.

Because I'm not very good at doing things the traditional way. I want to think about things and dig into them to figure out what's really going on. Call me a party-pooper, but I hope that I find myself digging and pondering and struggling with questions every Christmas. I don't ever want to just do Christmas like we're supposed to do Christmas.

This year, the path my thoughts have followed has somehow led me to the Beatitudes. Every time I read this passage, I feel as though I'm reading a summary of everything that Jesus that was trying to tell us.

          Like it's the whole point.

And if it's the whole point of what Jesus taught, then isn't it the whole point of Christmas as well?

The Bible I use puts it like this:

God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.
God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full.
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

I just really feel so strongly right now that this is the whole point.
         This is Jesus.
         This is the reason for celebrating.
         This is the reason for remembering.
         This is God's Love.


*Matthew 5:3-10, New Living Translation