Christmas is About Business!

Have you ever noticed how much "business people" are a part of the Christmas story? Charles Dickens popularized the notion that business types are anti-Christmas. But the traditional Christmas story is full of business people who cared.

The Inn Keeper in Bethlehem had a full house. Everyone was in town for the census (another business-driven initiative). But even then, in the early 1st Century, he had a sense of customer service. Rather than turn the couple away he made provisions in his stable for the young man and woman and their soon-to-be-born child.

Nearby there were livestock merchants - you know them as shepherds.  Their animal work then, as today, knew no holiday. But these weren't ordinary shepherds; they were actually tending the flock for the temple sacrifice. So, they knew the prophecy that a messiah would come. But they had no idea they were about to be memorialized for their part in the story.

The Christmas story not only includes the hospitality industry and livestock but there were political consultants - better known as "wise men" who would also take center stage. And you may not realize that according to the tradition of the day, three wise men would be traveling with a contingency of workers numbering around 100!

The lasting message of Christmas, however, is not the prominent role that business people played in the unfolding drama. No, it is the role the baby born in a manger would play in the lives of all mankind.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!"

Merry Christmas,
Barry