"The true teachings of Christianity, I believe, is that just in proportion as a person rises in the scale of intelligence and virtue, he becomes knit by tenderer sympathy with inferior orders of beings. In truth, he rises above the idea of different orders. 

He regards all beings, who possess thought, conscience, and the power of knowing God, as his Brethren. He respects them as essentially his Equals, in consequence of their capacity of indefinite improvement. He recognizes his own nature in the lowest human creature; and is most eager and concerned to raise the most fallen. 

Yes! My belief is, that the beings who sympathize most with human infirmity and sorrow, and who feel most deeply for human guilt, are the beings who understand most. That's when I learn to know and feel the Mind of Jesus. It is when I see Christ associating with the ignorant and lowly, and conforming Himself to their lot, that He might more effectually bring great truths within the reach of their intelligence, and might enrich them with new virtues and hopes. 

  To this comprehension of the Mind and Character of Jesus Christ, I attach infinite importance. To me, it is the greatest good received from Him. 

In so saying, I know that I differ from many Christians, who rejoice in Christ's birth chiefly because He came, as they think, to purchase by His sufferings, the pardon of their sins. I rejoice in His birth, chiefly because He came to reveal, by His suffering, His Celestial Love -- to lay open to us His Soul, and thus to regenerate the human soul. To regenerate and exalt human souls was Christ's ultimate end. And by what means could He more effectually have ministered to this end, than by manifesting, as He did, His own excellence, unselfishness, and Divine Love?

This seems to me more and more to be the great good which we derive from the birth of Jesus. His inmost Spirit was thus laid open to us. Nothing has wrought so powerfully on the human soul, as the Mind and Character of Jesus Christ. 

  You see then, why I delight in the human and the humble birth of Jesus. It lays open to me His Character, His Mind, His Spirit, His Divine goodness. 

Others are more interested in studying Christianity under different aspects. Not a few attach supreme importance to understanding the times and the seasons, interpreting the essence of repentance, or what Rank Jesus holds in the universe. Such inquiries it is in no way my wish to discourage; for all truth his its value. But for myself I ask to comprehend the CHARACTER of Jesus. I ask to approach His pure Spirit, to learn His thoughts, feelings, emotions, principles and purposes. I ask to comprehend more and more of that Love, which was so calm, yet so intense, within His heart. 

These are the mysteries I am most anxious to explore. To understand all theology, I should esteem a privilege, yet I may know this, and be no better and happier for the truth. But to discern the beauty, loveliness, harmony, and grandeur of His Mind, this is a knowledge which cannot but exert a creative and purifying power on every one who can attain to it." 

William Ellery Channing.