Christmas, Jesus and his cousin John - why it still matters

The Christmas story also includes the birth of Jesus' relative John. Photo / 123rf

I remember the trip to the hospital vividly.

It was bumpy and uncomfortable to put it mildly.

I was 14 and I’d just fractured my cheek in about 10 places during a mountainboard incident (like a skateboard).

My dad and his friend, Wally, tried their best to comfort me on the 40-minute drive to Dunedin Hospital.

I appreciated their words but there was very little they could say to ease the pain. All three of us knew I just needed a doctor.

It was one of those rare times everything else felt rather worthless and insignificant compared to the one thing I needed - a hospital.

As Christmas arrives, Christians across the world - myself included - enjoy remembering the birth of Jesus.

That special event from over 2000 years ago in the town of Bethlehem.

The Christmas story also recalls the birth of another baby boy, John, who was born around the same time as Jesus. According to the Bible, the two of them were related.

As John grew up, despite being aloof, he drew big crowds of people who liked to hear what he had to say and teach.

John knew people needed one thing more than anything else.

He even said his main goal in life was to be “the voice of one calling in the wilderness, make straight the way for the Lord” - meaning to declare to people that someone special was coming. A Saviour.

When he later saw Jesus - as a grown adult - he said “look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”.

Fast forward to today, and Christmas appeals to many, whether you have any affinity with Jesus or not.

Christmas can provide people with a chance to have a break, eat beautiful food, perhaps end the year well beside loved ones, and of course receive and gift presents.

But for Christians, the thing that makes Christmas really special - beautiful in fact - is knowing we need just one gift.

Knowing all other gifts are insignificant in comparison.

And knowing, like John put it, that Jesus is that gift and Savior that “takes away the sin of the world” - for anyone who realises they need God’s forgiveness.

For me, it is what makes Christmas one of my favourite times of year, and as priceless as finally arriving at the hospital as a broken 14-year-old.

Churches across the region hold Christmas or, in some cases, Christmas Eve services. For those interested, simply Google your local church or check their billboard for times and head along.