“Well, I’m only human you know!”  How often haven’t you heard that explanation when someone makes a mistake or is embarrassed by their limitations?  A weakness may have been pointed out or a serious error in judgement committed.  The assumption is – well, I’m not perfect.  I AM only human.  But there is another side to that statement.  There is another reality we need to keep in mind.

We can’t hide our heads in the snow (although we have plenty of that today), or we can’t get so busy in order to deny the reality of limitations and weaknesses.  We stand face to face with an imperfect humanity.  But thank God, we are not the only ones who have seen the brokenness.  For there was a baby born many years ago…  Although we still are amazed at his birth and do not understand completely its significance, there is no doubt that he was born, lived, and died, and made a major impact on history as a resurrected one.

According to Christian tradition, God decided to do something entirely new.  At the right time God sent humanity a message by sending a human being.  While Christian theology through the ages makes a clear statement about the divinity and humanity of this baby Jesus, unfortunately there are two main errors that most of us fall into.  Either we discount his divinity altogether, or we pay only lip service to his humanity and attribute his importance to his being the Son of God.  This dilemma has persisted for centuries.

Today we look at the statement of faith that proclaims the humanity of Jesus.  The incarnation, or God become human, is significant for us in that Jesus reclaims the value of being human.  We no longer have to apologize for “being only human”.  We can now affirm our humanity.  We can claim who we are.  To say “I’m human” is to make a positive statement.  Jesus’ presence in this world affirms our humanity and punctuates that God cares for us and loves us and has come to live among us and in us. We can be proud of what and who we are. 

We can stand proud of our heritage.  I remember moving out of a predominantly Dutch culture, where I was seldom asked to spell Dykstra, and into a multi- ethnic culture that saw few, if any Dutch.  As an awkward, self-conscious early teen I was embarrassed to be Dutch.  Of course, that has changed (show my bumper sticker) “Wooden shoe rather be Dutch”?

Perhaps you are hesitant to claim your nationality, or your parentage.  This is the beginning of the celebration of Kwanza – a time of pride and claiming one’s heritage for African Americans.  Hanukkah is a time in which Jews remember their restoration as a people and can celebrate who they are.   Cinco de Myo, the fifth of May is a time for Mexican Americans to claim their roots.  And there are many other special national days of celebration for others.

Yes, we can stand proud of who we are, whether that is claiming our nationality or our personality.  It might be in owning our physical make up or our emotional characteristics.  Our humanity, our humanness has been reclaimed.  We are made in the image of God, and God takes delight is us.  We  ARE  SOMEBODY  in God’s eyes.  Jesus allows us to reclaim the truth that we were created in the image of God and can live in harmony with God once again.  In so doing, we can learn to leave in harmony with each other as well.  When that is not possible, we can experience the love and care of our divine creator who has poured grace upon us. 

The coming of Jesus to this world is a reminder that we have been set free for God’s service!   Jesus modeled for us how to  live with one another and that love is the key to life.  “Jesus loves me, this I know” is one of the first theological lessons I learned as a small child.  His love calls forth in us that which sets us free to be all that we have been created to be.  That love points us to the need to love others.  And from that love, we find ourselves serving rather than being served.  It’s easy to get that turned around and think the world revolves around us.  But Mother Teresa reminds us “the service you do is your love for God in action” (The Joy of Living, p. 421)

The incarnation or the coming of Jesus is important also when we observe Christ’s mission was to serve the needs of humanity in the world.  God is aware of broken relationships, the hurts of humanity.  Jesus offers us a love relationship that is not only for our benefit, but one that compels us to share it with others.  When we take up his mission to serve others we become the faces of Jesus in the world. 

This can give us a new understanding of our vocation.  Our work is not simply to allow us to meet our own needs.  It is also an opportunity to serve others.  I have known people in all walks of life who have been able to see their work as a ministry and service to others.  Many of you here today represent that awareness.  In your service to others you are putting your love into action.  Love becomes more than just words. 

Reclaiming our humanity is also putting a new perspective on our home life.  Home is not a refuge from the world, although it may have that aspect.  It is also a place of welcome to others. To share our home is to share a piece of ourselves.  Valuing our home life also helps us see the connection of our relationship to God and to our family.  Family is where we have a great opportunity to experience belonging.  When that since of belonging is taken away, we realize how important it really is to belong.  Parents have a powerful role in the life of their children.  It is here where they first experience that they are loved, cherished, and valued.  The value that has been placed on us by sending Jesus to reclaim our humanity can be passed along from one generation to another.  To see our children claim who they are and demonstrate their ability to love and be loved is one of the greatest joys we can experience.

To celebrate the birth of Jesus is to recognize that humanity has not been the same since.  We are Human.  To say “I’m only human” is to claim oneness with Jesus who was and is truly human.  Thanks be to God.  Thanks be to Jesus.