If you want to experience a rich, full life—forget fairness. Life is not fair. Jesus was not fair. He said, “The last will be first and the first will be last.” That’s wonderful if you’re at the end of the line, but if you’re at the front? Well, suddenly you’re wishing you’d grabbed a cup of cocoa and stalled a bit before lining up.

Jesus told stories about workers in the field. The early morning crew had a contract. The mid-day hires had a handshake deal. By the time the late afternoon folks showed up, they had nothing but a promise. And when payday came, everyone got the same wage. That’s not fair! Imagine the early risers muttering, “We skipped breakfast for this?” Meanwhile, the latecomers are whistling “Joy to the World” all the way to the bank.

And then there’s the older brother in the prodigal story. He’s out in the field, sweaty and tired, hearing music and laughter from the house. He’s thinking, “Great. My brother gets a party, and I get blisters.” If it had been Christmas, the father would’ve handed the younger son a stocking stuffed with candy canes and the older brother a fruitcake. Not fair—but oh so right.

Think about the thief on the cross. He never joined the church, never got baptized, never served on the finance committee (lucky him). He didn’t even have time to learn the words to “Silent Night.” All he said was, “Lord, remember me.” And Jesus replied, “This day you will be with me in paradise.” That thief is now strolling the streets of gold, probably humming “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” off-key. Not fair—but grace never is.

And the first Christmas? Talk about unfair. Mary and Joseph weren’t traveling to Grandma’s house for figgy pudding—they were trudging to Bethlehem for a Roman tax enrollment. No hotel, no Airbnb, just a barn with a cow mooing the bass line. Then Herod’s rage brought tragedy to Bethlehem. It was not fair. But it was right.

Because justice is not about fairness—it’s about God’s power to set things right. Justice rolls down like waters, righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. And out of that stream grows grace—lavish, undeserved, overflowing grace.

So this Christmas, when someone says, “It’s not fair!”—smile and say, “Exactly. That’s the point.” Fairness gives us what we deserve. Grace gives us what we could never earn. And that’s the best Christmas gift of all.

Justice is tough. Grace is extravagant. Jesus is merciful. And thank God—He is not fair!