Simplicity, on Christ -Mass

"Simplicity -- Christ-Mass," today's 5 x 7 #watercolor card

He made it simple. It was about love, in action. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated.
He was tired of convoluted religion that burdened people with regulations and judgment, excluding them and ignoring their humanity and needs, making their God more distant.
"Religion" simply means "re-tying," bringing back together, but it had become anything but simple.
He made it simple:
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:24)
No wonder the "religious" authorities in charge of complicated "religion" hated him. Instead of rules, he simply preached love in action:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful, for the will be shown mercy.
"Blessed are the poor in heart, for they will see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Don't you think that his love for simplicity started at his birth, which the world celebrates today...simple people, simple surroundings, reflecting a God who is very simple, "God is love."
Amazingly simple, isn't it, but yet much of the "religious" world still doesn't get it.
Consider those who want to erect the Ten Commandments on public property, ignoring his words about love, but worshipping rules and exclusion.
Consider the hate, and mercilessness, and absence of meekness, desert of righteousness, warmakers,  who "lead" our and other countries while claiming to be "religious."
Let this day remind us how much we need simplicity, in the steps of the one who was born, lived and taught simple truths about us and God.
"When Jesus went ashore, he saw a great crowd and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd." -Matt.  9:36
Not rules. Just love. Simple. Like his birth.