Celebrating Christmas: Honoring a Man Named Jeshua (Not a Deity Named Christ)

Ah, Christmas. The time of year when people decorate their homes with twinkling lights, stress about what socks to buy their uncle, and sip hot cocoa while Michael Bublé emerges like a musical groundhog who senses the snow. It’s also the season when we collectively celebrate a man named Jeshua (Jesus,) or at least, that’s how it all started. Somewhere along the line, though,  the man became Jesus the Christ, a full-fledged deity.
But here’s the thing: No choir ever sang when he entered the room. He was a man. A teacher. A guy with sandals and a message so powerful that even 2,000 years later, we’re still talking about him. So, let’s take a moment to dust off the ornaments and unwrap the truth about this holiday: Christmas is really about celebrating the man named Jeshua—not some mystical, unattainable deity.
And don’t worry, we’ll keep it light and festive, with a touch of humor—because I promise you, Jeshua had a great sense of humor too. How else could he have dealt with 12 disciples bickering about who was the greatest without rolling his eyes and sighing, “Oy vey, Peter…”?

Jeshua the Man: More Relatable Than You Think
Let’s start with the basics. Jesus wasn’t born in a palace with gold-plated furniture and angels singing backup vocals. Legend has it H\he was born in a stable (though many scholars whole heartedly disagree.) You know, the kind of place with straw, animals, and that distinct “eau de cow” aroma. Now, let’s be honest: if someone told you the Messiah was going to show up in a barn next to a goat named Clarence, you’d probably say, “Yeah, right.”
The birth story was of a humble origin—and that’s kind of the point. He wasn’t here to be untouchable or divine in a way that no one could relate to. He came into this world just like you and me: a human being. And he lived his life like one, too.
Think about it. He got tired. He got frustrated. He told stories with punchlines—parables that had more layers than a holiday fruitcake. And the guy knew how to throw a party! You don’t get labeled a “glutton and a wine-drinker” unless you’ve been to a few good shindigs. (For the record, He was neither of those things, but he enjoyed the heck out of weddings and dinners with friends.)
Jeshua was a man who loved people deeply, taught with wisdom, and lived his truth without shame. That’s worth celebrating, isn’t it?

Christmas Got a Little... Complicated
Now, I’m not saying we shouldn’t acknowledge the divine. But somewhere between the manger and the mistletoe, people turned Jeshua into something superhuman—an image of a Christ that feels distant, perfect, and sometimes downright intimidating.
You see, when we focus on "Jesus the Christ", the deity, we can miss out on what made him so remarkable as a man. He was born into a troubled world full of division, inequality, and strife—sound familiar? Yet he stood up, walked among the people, and taught one revolutionary idea: love one another. That’s not just divine wisdom; that’s real, practical, boots-on-the-ground advice for how to live.
Here’s a modern example. If he were walking around today, he’d probably be the guy who buys coffee for a stranger, listens to your troubles without judgment, and gives hugs that make you forget why you were stressed about your uncle’s socks in the first place. That’s Jesus the man—not some ethereal being floating two inches above the ground.

A Humorous Take on the Holiday
Let’s address the big man in the red suit, shall we? Santa Claus has become the unofficial mascot of Christmas, and I’m pretty sure Jeshua doesn’t mind. After all, Santa’s whole shtick is giving generously, spreading joy, and making kids believe in something magical. If that’s not a Christmas spirit that He can get behind, I don’t know what is.
But can you imagine Jeshua at a modern Christmas party? Picture this:

Host: “Jesus, can I get you a drink?”
Jesus: “Just water, thanks.” (winks)

And you know Jeshua would be the guy laughing with the kids, giving quiet words of encouragement to the stressed-out mom, and gently reminding Uncle Larry that, no, he doesn’t need to win every political argument at dinner.
Why? Because Jesus the man embodied kindness, humility, and compassion—the very things Christmas is supposed to be about. And none of that requires you to worship him as a divine being. You can simply honor him as a great teacher who knew how to love, live, and laugh.

Keeping Jeshua Real This Christmas
So, how do we celebrate Christmas while honoring the man instead of the Christ? Simple:

1. Be Kind: Take a page out of his playbook and love one another—even when Aunt Carol starts talking about her 47 cats.
2. Be Present: He wasn’t rushing from one thing to the next. He was fully present with the people he loved. Slow down, enjoy the moment, and really listen to the people around you.
3. Find the Humor: You think life in ancient Judea was easy? Jeshua laughed. He teased his disciples. He found joy wherever he went. If he can do it, so can you—even if the turkey burns or the tree falls over.
4. Give Freely: Gifts don’t have to be expensive. He gave the gift of his time, his wisdom, and his love. That’s priceless.
5. Live Your Truth: Jeshua didn’t try to please everyone. He knew his purpose and walked his path with integrity. This Christmas, remember that being true to yourself is the best gift you can give to the world.

Wrapping It All Up (With a Big Red Bow)
Christmas doesn’t have to be about worshiping a far-off deity. It can be about honoring the man who started it all—Jeshua of Nazareth. The teacher. The carpenter. The guy who turned water into wine and reminded us that the greatest commandment is love.
So this Christmas, let’s keep it simple. Let’s celebrate the human being who taught us how to live with compassion, laughter, and joy. After all, he’s the reason for the season—and he’s also someone we can actually relate to.
Now go ahead, pour yourself some eggnog, hug your family, and remember what Jeshua really stood for: loving one another. Because if he were at your Christmas dinner, he wouldn’t care how fancy the table settings were. He’d care about the love being shared around the table.
And maybe… just maybe… he’d bring a little extra wine. ;)
Merry Christmas!