Rumor has it that Jesus Christ has a birthday coming up. In commemoration of the occasion, I’m taking a moment to think upon one of His Gospels.
I’ve never told anyone this, but just after Dar was born, I spent a lot of time in the churches near our house – near the corner of Cedar and Oxford. There are three big ones there, one even called “Second Church of Christ, Scientist.” I carried Dar into those places and prayed for his life and health. Maybe everyone gets more religious upon seeing the miracle of birth, but I knew we had just named him after a man who some blamed for “killing God,” and as much as I love that man, I felt – I realize this isn’t rational – an unaccountable, unquenchable fear for my newborn baby. As it turned out, that fear was justified. As it turned out, if anyone is upset with me for Dar’s name, they can take comfort in knowing I’m paying for it.
My parents were both devout atheists, partly as a reaction to their not-exactly-atheist upbringings. If you ask me how we’re raising Dar, there’s not much to say. He can’t register a favorite Bible verse any more than he can indicate a favorite song.
If you read enough of the Bible, you can find just about anything, right? Anyway, today I’m simply going to look at Matthew. Perhaps it’s best not to examine all the whys and wherefores, just for the next two days. You know, it’s Christmas.
Judge not, that ye be not judged. 7:1
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 7:7
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 5:14-17
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. 6:28
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 25:40
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 5:3-9
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 7:15
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 15:11
They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. 15:14
Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. 19:30
Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 23:12
Blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 23:24
Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. 22:21
Freely ye have received, freely give. 10:8
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 11:28-30
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 22:39
