I know this because you write me e-mails to let me know you are reading this weekly writ. We have become friends. You share with me your questions and insights into the stuff I write here. This gives me great satisfaction. I am aware of lots of Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and other non-Christian readers. I try to make everyone feel welcome here. Of course, y'all know that I am a devout Christian and I am a true believer. However, you remind me often of your respect for me and I try always to convey my respect for you.

I know that the overwhelming majority of you are followers of Jesus. And there is a great variety of Christian viewpoints among us. Still, I'm aware that when I get preachy, I am mostly preaching to the choir, as we say. Especially when we are in a Christian holy season. You would expect me to do that. I am a traditionalist, and sentiment runs deep for me at Christmas.

This week I want to speak especially to those who are not confessing Christians and may even be among the non-religious but who are at least curious. If you are willing to consider the possibility that God exists, I'm thinking of you. I ask you to imagine, if God exists, what God would be like. The possibilities are vast, but Christians believe that if one wishes to see God, he or she should take a look at Jesus.

Now, I want to ask you to think of what we can know about Jesus. First, we can know with reasonable certainty that Jesus was a historical figure who said and did notable things. Once, while being accused of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God, he said, "If you don't believe me, then simply believe the things I do." (John 10:38.) So, think about the things he did. He gathered a small group of disciples and traveled around the region of his birth announcing that a new day was dawning. He called on people to turn away from the old and embrace this new way. He performed signs and wonders to make his points.

He was a great teacher and preacher. Read the Sermon on the Mount (Gospel of Matthew, chapters: 5, 6 and 7). This is a collection of his sayings and teachings. Read his Beatitudes there and The Lord's Prayer. He presents his moral compass in this material and what his followers should embody in their lives.

Jesus caused trouble for the religious and political establishments. This is what prophets do —stir up stuff. He was recognized as friendly toward the rich and the poor. He had rich friends but he cautioned them about the dangers of the love of great wealth. He seemed to have special concern for the poor. He represented a destabilizing threat to the powerful. Eventually, entrenched forces conspired to kill him.

During the Christmas season, we Christians are challenged to teach our children that it is important for us to have a birthday party for this "one of a kind" person, Jesus. It isn't mostly a time when we give each other gifts. It's a much bigger deal than that! We believe that Jesus is God in the flesh.

We Christians are challenged to teach our children that it is important for us to have a birthday party for this "one of a kind" person, Jesus. It isn't mostly a time when we give each other gifts. It's a much bigger deal than that! We believe that Jesus is God in the flesh.

I know that some of you, dear friends, don't share this view. Still, you know enough about him to hold him in high regard. And I can't think of any reason why you would not enjoy his birthday party. If you can't sing, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come," maybe you can sing, "What a friend we have in Jesus!"

Harold Bales is a semi-retired Methodist minister who lives in Kannapolis. He's also got a new book out and copies are available for sale. For more information, visit www.TheSouthernFriedPreacher.com. Send him an e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .