In the presidential campaign of 2008 Barack Obama was overheard dismissing people who “cling to guns and religion.”  He was quickly attacked by the right wing for this perceived slight, not understanding that it was the “clinginess” that was the issue he had in mind; he understood that guns and religion should not be “clung to.” Guns are alright, being intrinsically innocent as is any object. Religion too is alright but not when it becomes an addiction as has been the case in the “right to bear arms” movement. When religion becomes an addiction it can obliterate the wisdom of spiritual teachers such as Jesus Christ.

Addiction is deadly in any form.  If one becomes addicted to an idea it can have the same lethal result as drugs, or alcohol, or even sex. This is vividly illustrated in the following photo in which a Republican Congressman, Thomas Massie, posted on Twitter a family photo of he and his wife, along with their five children, displaying assault rifles before a Christmas tree. Two days later another Republican, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, followed suit with a photo of her family proudly displaying their weapons before a Christmas tree.  

On this Christmas morning, I am deeply moved with memories of this holiday, thrilled as I watch Handel’s Messiah with my lovely wife and doggie. This “birth of Christ” day has greater value for me each year as I approach my divinely allotted, “three-score and ten.” It honors an event two millennia in the past in which an irruption took place in a culture that was as frozen as ours is today, frozen in a gridwork of unexamined premises which always culminate in some form of violence.  This Christmas story is a lasting illustration of a man who announced in his words and deeds, “Hey, guys there is another way of looking at things, of seeing others with respect, appreciation, and love as it dawns on us, ‘hey, what we see is what we are’. He knew those persons we dismiss, fear, and even hate merit something other than the rage with which we usually respond.”

This different approach to that “gridwork” and its ugliness requires something Massie and Boebert lack–an ability to have an impulse and not pause a moment to consider, “Is it true, is it kind, is it necessary.” The story of Jesus is about finding the courage to recognize the gridwork in which we live and choose to not march lock-step to its dictates. This takes courage, respect, forgiveness, and humility. It shows us that we must “get over ourselves” from time to time and how painful this ego death can be.

A resounding “Merry Christmas” I offer to each of you.