Harcourt Religion Publishers:Bulletin:Christmas

We all love the story of Christmas. We all would like the story of Christmas to echo in our lives today. But I'm not sure that anyone has ever told us the entire Christmas story, at least not in one sitting. It doesn't end, you know, when the magi leave, or when Herod slaughters the infants. The Christmas story ends somewhere around the place in the Gospel where Jesus says, ". . . whatever you did for one of these least of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).

We have heard that line many times. It is true because of Christmas. It is rooted in the fact that God took on human form and lived among us in Jesus. Jesus took on the nature of all humanity. Thus all people-men, women, children, aged, strong, weak-are part of Jesus, and whatever I do for the least of my sisters and brothers, I do for Jesus.

Thus the Christmas story does extend even up to this very day. We, however, must make sure that we hear the entire story and that we live in testimony to the entire story of Christmas. In very concrete terms, Christmas is a pro-life story, and we who come to hear the story of Christmas must respect and cherish and defend life on all ends of the spectrum. Abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, capital punishment, and all those decisions that lie within these major issues-supporting any of these anti-life choices runs counter to the end of the story: "Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me."

Christmas is also a social justice story-rich, poor, men, women, black, brown, white, straight, gay, citizen, alien, legal, illegal. The end of tonight's story is always the same-"Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me."

Jesus is brother to all. If those who hear the story of Christmas are not pro-life, then who? If those who hear the story of Christmas are not socially conscious and just, then who? This year be sure to tell your children-and all whom you love-the entire Christmas story. And remind yourself that it ends, "Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me."