The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. -John 1:9-13
The birth of Jesus is one of the most significant events in human history. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world! A Savior and King long prophesied about and awaited was finally arriving. And yet, when he did, he was overlooked and rejected by the majority.
I point this out because I am sure each of us has felt the sting of being rejected or overlooked. We all have also probably been on the other side of that in rejecting or dismissing others. We have not always been treated with dignity, nor have we treated others properly or acknowledged their potential.
This Christmas season, we would do well to remember that even Jesus was overlooked and rejected by many. He understands and relates to that pain. And for that very reason, it is only in Him that we can truly feel and know our worth. As the popular Christmas hymn, O Holy Night puts it,
Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till he appear‘d and the soul felt its worth.
And since it’s in Jesus that we come to know our worth and value, it also reminds us that every human being is of great worth and value in the eyes of God too. Who might we be overlooking or rejecting? Who might we be failing to dignify and honor?
If you struggle with feeling overlooked or rejected, look no further than Jesus. And if you are guilty of dismissing and overlooking others, look at the lengths God went to let us know our worth in his eyes.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16
Ben Foley 