Santa rested on Christmas Morn, while Jesus’ work was just beginning.

Santa hurriedly left on Christmas morning, exhausted from his deliveries, endless sleigh-riding, unlimited mounds of milk and cookies.  While he enjoyed himself, he secretly couldn’t wait to say: That’s it for this year folks. See you in 2022. Contentedly and gladly, he headed North and home.

While Jesus, arriving in night’s darkness, began spending time with his chosen people, getting familiar with his human Mom and foster Dad. He liked being held by his earthly parents and they in turn enjoyed the same privilege.

To Jesus’ delight, next came shepherds carrying lambs as gifts. Smiling enthusiastically, Jesus and the shepherds seemed suited and comfortable together. When the music started in the sky, wide-eyed Jesus gazed upward listening to the angelic heavenly choir. 

Busy with visitors, Jesus never grew tired to see them. The three mysterious strangers bearing gifts got a cheerful greeting as they knelt in adoration. Jesus came to bring salvation to the whole human race, and he verified this on the very first morning of his birth.

If Jesus is the one, no one would be turned away – either heavenly angels, poorly clad shepherds, or elegantly dressed wisemen.  Later in his life when preaching, Jesus would demonstrate this in great abundance, inviting fisherman to be apostles, and sinners, the marginalized, the disabled, and even his enemies to be his followers. 

Jesus affirmed this saying: What you do or don’t do to these least among you the same is done to me. Mathew’s gospel has Jesus saying: I was a stranger, and you did not take me in, I was naked, and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me. Jesus established early on that the keystone to accepting him was to accept everyone, near and far. 

Now, before packing away our Nativity sets, glance one last time at Jesus lying in his manger crib wrapped in swaddling clothes. Consider how truly vulnerable and dependent on others Jesus is at that moment. His out-stretched arms cry out to every onlooker: Help me, I need others to become what my father wants me to become. I can’t do this alone.

It all began in his manger. Jesus needs Joseph and Mary to be washed, changed, fed, taught to speak, walk, pray, meet friends, play sports. And it continues even to this Christmas.  Jesus still needs the hearts, hands, and feet of current followers for building his kingdom. He continues giving gifts, and when using them generously and graciously, Jesus’ kingdom rises on that very spot.

While Santa’s work ended in the wee hours of Christmas morn, babe Jesus’ work was just beginning.  Born on earth vulnerable and helpless, Jesus loves what others loathed; the hungry the unwashed, and the ragged. For these Jesus inherited a seat at the right hand of his father, working still to help his followers to love all others in the same way that he loves them.