The Christmas Narrative Is About Charity and Love, Not Greed and Self-Dealing

""Jesus consistently sided with the underdogs, not the privileged and powerful," writes Fugelsang. "Broad-minded, tolerant, and way too inclusive for the ultraconservatives of his day, the Nazarene modeled generosity and selflessness, and told his followers to share their resources and prioritize the well-being of other people over personal gain." Current Issue Fugelsang further reminds us: Jesus stood up to...the authoritarians among then religious leaders, drunk on their own eminence. The wealthy, worshiping their own stature and possessions while denying the suffering of the poor."

"The capitalists in the temple, greedily exploiting poor believers. The imperial government of Rome, whose hunger for power led to its own collapse. Those who imagine that this is too militant an interpretation of the gospels might consider the Gospel of Matthew, with its charge: "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:""

The Christmas economy depends on purchasing possessions to celebrate the birthday of the man who renounced possessions. Jesus consistently sided with the underdogs, opposing authoritarian religious leaders, the wealthy who ignored the poor, temple capitalists who exploited believers, and imperial powers like Rome. The gospels and the Gospel of Matthew urge feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, and welcoming strangers. Right-wing Christian nationalists framing Christianity as besieged contradict these scriptural priorities of generosity and sharing. Recent Catholic leaders, following Francis, have reiterated social teachings that emphasize care for the poor and critique concentrated wealth and power.

Read at The Nation