It’s that time of year again, the celebration of the birth of the Prince of Peace. The world seems dark and scary right now and this is not the first time. It seems as if the human condition hasn’t improved over the last 2,000 years, does it?
But, again, it’s up to us to make the difference, to see the good news of this birth in all its glory. Recently I read a piece from Gordon Douglas that reads; “it’s an unwed woman who carries God. It’s the pagans from the East who recognize God. It’s the workers in the fields who hear from God. It’s the marginalized neigbourhood who welcomes God. It’s God who chooses the lowly and the broken to use. Christmas is here. Let hope in.”
Each of us is the womb from which the joy of the season can be birthed among us again and again. You’ve heard the quote, “Think globally but act locally.” We may not be able to change the world, but we can make a difference here! By loving ourselves and our neighbour unconditionally does wonders for the whole world. It releases the power of the season to move across the surface of our planet and make a positive change.
We can do this! It doesn’t have to be frantic shopping, financial hardship, loneliness and despair. Be the place from which the Season comes alive. Christmas IS here! It begins with you and me.
Many, many years ago Julian of Norwich wrote: “All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well… for there is a force of love moving through the Universe that holds us fast and will never let us go.”
We celebrate the birth of our knowledge of this Love now. Let it permeate our entire being. Be the Love this season Celebrates!
Merry Christmas!
Wally Hargrave, Master of Divinity,
100 Mile United Church
