Christmas is our nation’s first federal holiday. Christmas was first declared as a national holiday back in 1789. Since this time there has been an unbroken history of official acknowledgement of the holiday by all three branches of our federal government. So, when the city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island was sued for displaying a nativity scene, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the case of Lynch v. Donelly (1985) that the Constitution does not require a complete separation of church and state. Instead, the high court ruled that “It affirmatively mandates accommodation, not merely tolerance, of all religions and forbids hostility towards any.”

That nativity scene displayed by the city of Pawtucket retold the biblical story of how Joseph and Mary made the trek down from Nazareth to the town of Bethlehem in Judea for a census declared by Caesar Augustus. Finding no room in any of the inns, the couple accepted the offer of a stable. When Jesus was born, Mary wrapped the baby in cloths and laid him in a feeding trough, known as a manger.

While Jesus was born into a nuclear family, Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, could hardly be regarded as a wealthy man. This is evidenced by Luke’s report that Joseph offered the poor man’s sacrifice of two turtle doves or two young pigeons at the time of Jesus’s dedication at the temple in Jerusalem. Although he had little money, Joseph was careful to follow all of the stipulations in the Law of Moses regarding the birth of Jesus.

For many American families today Christmastime represents a similar time of hardship. Many American workers found themselves unemployed once the COVID-19 outbreak hit our country during the spring and summer months. Many small businesses have had to close their doors, while others have been living off of government subsidies and loans. Consequently, paying taxes to the county or to the state is hardly something we associate with the wish of a merry Christmas. But, like Joseph in the Christmas story most of us obediently pay the tax and move on with the rest of our lives. Nevertheless, many families need relief now.

If God has sustained you financially through this difficult year, consider what you might do for others this Christmas. Remember those who are out of work or who may be struggling to make ends meet. Pray for them. Then consider inviting them over for Christmas dinner or anonymously leaving a care package on their doorstep. Leave them a gift card or pay for their gas or their groceries without getting recognized for your gift of charity, and give gifts of toys to children who may not otherwise get any. These are just a few simple ways we can love our neighbors this year at Christmastime.

My prayer is that you will have a blessed and merry Christmas this year, and that God will provide for you and your family. May 2021 be the year of recovery for everyone who is struggling. Finally, in spite of whatever financial situation you may find yourself in this year, remember that the reason Jesus was born was to go to the cross, to make atonement for our sins, and to offer us the free gift of eternal life.