The Anniversary of the Birth of Jesus (p) is a Reminder of Mercy, Noble Values, and the Future of Justice

December 22, 2023

“‘Behold,’ the angels told Mary, ‘God has given you the glad news of the coming birth of a son whom He calls His Word, whose name will be Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, who will be a man of honor in this life and the life to come, and who will be one of the ones nearest to God.'”¹

The good news that God Almighty gave to Lady Mary about the birth of the “Spirit [or ruh] of God” in this world in such a unique and miraculous manner showed that mercy, blessing, goodness, and hope were born. The announcement declared that he had come to save God’s religion and humanity in an era steeped in injustice, ignorance, and discrimination. With the birth of Jesus, the son of Mary, belief in the oneness of God and justice began to spread again, and the banner of divine guidance permeated throughout the world. Moreover, he became an example for all those who sought love, peace, and equity, and he remains the very same beacon even today: “He [Jesus] said, ‘I am the servant of God. He has given me the Book and has appointed me a Prophet. He has blessed me no matter where I dwell, commanded me to worship Him and pay the religious tax for as long as I live.'”²

Jesus (p) was sent with a divine call to save mankind from the darkness of polytheism, disbelief, ignorance, and oppression and to bring them to the light of belief in God, knowledge, and justice. Throughout his pious life, he did not spare a moment in combating evil and calling for goodness among people. Today, humanity is in dire need of those teachings, which are, in a manner of divine continuity, reiterated in the code of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp). These teachings call upon people to adhere to justice, tolerance, and righteousness. God says, “Who speaks better than one who invites human beings to God, acts righteously, and says, ‘I am a Muslim.'”³ As such, Muslim traditions reported from the Imams of Ahl al-Bayt (pbut) describe that Jesus (p) will return and restore balance alongside the promised Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his return) during a time when the world is mired in moral corruption. This world desperately needs Jesus’ message of reform because dishonor has become pervasive, human values have degraded, and the family structure has become systematically destroyed by so-called modern ideas that seek to undermine human dignity under the pretext of advancement. Sadly, certain misinformation spread by the media that distorts the truth is being forced on our psyches in every corner of the globe, as if we are living in past centuries under the rule of ignorance.

Similarly, with the spread of greed and personal gain, a large swath of humanity lives in poverty today, while a few control the global wealth and determine the destinies of those who are hungry in the world. This poverty and destitution is not just for clean water, food, and basic necessities, but also for education, access to healthcare, a safe living environment, and the power to improve one’s own life. Furthermore, the increasing number of wars, persecution, oppression, the spread and legalization of narcotic drugs, displacement, torture, and loss of life are increasingly taking a toll on not only the current human population, but generations to come.

Jesus (p) called people to the divine path and warned them against following their whims and desires and polluting the human spirit with tyranny and immoral behaviors. As a result, the corrupt and oppressive forces, and the worshipers of money and prestige, attempted to slander and inflict harm upon him and tried to take his life until God raised him into His protection and security. “God told Jesus, ‘I will save you from your enemies, raise you to Myself, keep you clean from association with the disbelievers, and give superiority to your followers over the unbelievers until the Day of Judgment. On that day you will all return to Me and I shall resolve your dispute.’”⁴  Then they tortured his disciples and followers for many years with the most severe and terrifying forms of cruelty in an attempt to eradicate his teachings. Yet, those who are corrupt, worshipers of lust, and warmongers cannot suppress the religion of God, His Messenger, and those who follow His path. Today, those who are misguided and adamant about undermining the true progress of humanity cannot tolerate the existence of monotheistic values, and those who adhere to divine morality, Christians or Muslims. Moreover, they continuously work to subtly inject dissent, fragmentation, and deviation in universal beliefs by various insidious means.

The true mark of anyone who loves and honors Jesus (p), and after him, Muhammad bin Abdullah (pbuh&hp), is the condition that they follow Christ and Muhammad by advocating for the truth and denouncing all falsehood and corruption. Especially today, the world is witnessing dehumanizing and horrific acts of violence and aggression being committed against the Palestinian people. It was the legacy of all the prophets and saints, and the people of conscience, to stand up for those who have no voice of their own. Moreover, as God-fearing servants, we are obligated to uphold His standard of fairness and accountability and to speak out and use any appropriate means to repel such despicable tyranny. Thus, let us make this occasion and honorable anniversary a launching point for jointly standing up for the oppressed and safeguarding divine values. It is an opportunity for cohesion, closeness, understanding of each other, and cooperation to bring about universal harmony. This must begin with introspection and reflection within ourselves and a concerted effort to break down barriers, remove misconceptions, and commit to overcoming what has previously failed. “And surely you will find the nearest of them in affection to the faithful to be those who say, ‘We are Christians.’ That is because there are priests and monks among them and because they are not arrogant.”⁵

1. The Holy Quran 3:45.

2. The Holy Quran 19:30-31.

3. The Holy Quran 41:33.

4. The Holy Quran 3:55.

5. The Holy Quran 5:82.