Every year, around Christmas time, it has become necessary for me to remind some alleged Christians that The nativity is not just another story of an immigrant family.

It’s quite popular among self-righteous, biblically illiterate Progressive Christians to portray Jesus’ earthly family as desperate souls, victimized by powerful forces. After establishing that Jesus was ‘an immigrant,’ the theologically challenged assert that every displaced person on Earth is ‘like Jesus’ and that’s why we need more government programs.

“John, you jerk!!! Jesus WAS an immigrant!!!! HE TAUGHT THAT WE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE POOR AND OPPRESSED!!!!!!!”

You just proved that you don’t believe your own sentiment.

You know Jesus was much more than a poor, beleaguered immigrant. He was the most influential person to ever walk around on the planet. You think his teaching is important enough to shout it at me. You don’t do that with other immigrants. If you truly believed that Jesus is just like those hapless, homeless, illegal refugees, then you wouldn’t be citing his teaching.

Mary and Joseph both knew what they were doing. They weren’t victims. They were blessed. If you crack open your Bible, you can read what Mary thought about the whole thing. Jesus family was not a couple of oppressed, marginalized weaklings. They were willing participants in God’s most powerful act of love.

Every year, around Christmas time, it’s necessary for me to suggest that you stop calling the Savior of mankind a refugee. Impoverished immigrants can’t bring peace on Earth or goodwill to all people. Nobody ever displaced Jesus without His permission.

(John 10:17) The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”