Happy Birthday JC!

My wonderful, kind, caring boyfriend told me I was "sucking the joy out of Christmas" since I wasn't savoring the smell of pine, marveling at the stack of presents under the tree, reading the cheesy holiday cards acquaintances had sent and gleefully exclaiming "Happy holidays!" to everyone at Costco. I wanted to avoid the consumer crush, get some work done, clean the apartment and polish the dismally tarnished silver. I guess getting in the Christmas spirit doesn't include doing laundry.

My lack of enthusiasm for Christmas might have something to do with the fact that I'm Jewish, although I'm not practicing and I understand most Christmas traditions have become secular, but it also has to do with my complete void of understanding about people's emotionally charged relationships with Jesus Christ. Of course I understand his historical importance, but I am baffled by the love felt by so many from Jesus himself.

From what I gather Jesus loves everyone, regardless of each person's beliefs, actions, morals, background, intelligence, good deeds and bad deeds. And this universal unconditional love is part of what makes Christ so appealing. But this is where I get confused. If Jesus loves everyone, no matter what, then why is his love worth so much?

If a teacher gives every student in class an A, regardless of the caliber of work, then the A loses its value. If every athlete in the Olympics wins a gold medal, then the achievement is meaningless. Not everyone can fit on a Wheaties box. When a stripper tells every customer her "real" name because it makes each customer feel special, it isn't special at all but just a manipulation to get bigger tips. And those "real names" are always just second fake names anyway.

So if Jesus loves every single person regardless of any other factors, how does his love make each believer feel so special? I think it might be like a David Lynch movie, you either get it or you don't.

As I ponder all this, my boyfriend tells me to read one of those cheesy cards we have received out loud, and when I really listen to words, I can't help but feel a pang of joy. I put the laundry down and look at our twinkling tree, the cat drinking from the water beneath it and the dog sniffing one of the ornaments, and I feel a strong sense of being surrounded by warmth. I call my family to say "Happy holidays" and am immersed with love, both giving it and receiving it. I guess even without understanding the allure of Jesus Christ's unconditional love, I can still appreciate his birthday, and get in the Christmas spirit.