Jesus' message was one of forgiveness and redemption: "Go thy way, and from now on sin no more." He made redemption possible -- by His words and His deeds, giving His life to expiate the sins of all men.
Jesus did not become King of the Jews, as some feared. He did not seek to lead armies or rule nations, but His life revolutionized the history of the world. His ethics -- of forgiveness, tolerance and universal redemption -- advanced the concept of justice, previously rooted in the dictum of "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." He taught us to love, not only our neighbors as ourselves, but "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who calumniate you."
The world is a better place -- not just for believers, but unbelievers as well -- because Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem that day so long ago.