Well, it was a peaceful night of snackage, watching A Christmas Carol (the Patrick Stewart
version), and then opening our traditional one-gift-on-Christmas Eve: me, Cathy,
the boys, and the dog and the cat.
I cried during the movie; having been the father of a
handicapped child, I identify with Bob Cratchet and little Tim (I’m way less
agreeable and way more cynical than Bob). The older I get, I cry over big stuff
like windy days and important stuff like that. My gift from my daughter was a
Snoopy coffee cup with the words Peace on Earth painted on the back. (It’s the
back because I am right-handed and the cup handle is on the right side (for me) and the
picture of Snoopy and Woodstock is on the ‘front’ and the words, “Peace on
Earth” are written on the back – unless you’re left-handed and then it would be
the front to you. Maybe I stayed up too late and didn’t sleep in enough this
morning.)
But Peace on Earth is the
sentiment, and my continual prayer for this globe of ours. With mass-murders in
places like Newtown, Connecticut, and Syria, and other places, some near and some
not so near; we need peace. Conflict no matter how great or small is usually
built upon something totally petty and initially, completely solvable. But like most
conflict, the force-field of pride and arrogance make the early-on solvable more and
more difficult the longer it is ignored and put off.
Our country (America, or whoever you are) is desperately
in need of peace. Oh yes, on the surface we mostly get along but there is an
undercurrent of discontent that is almost palpable. There are two sides to most
issues and the ability to come together and work together to solve these issues
is getting more and more difficult. Red, blue, conservative, liberal, black,
white, Latino: we are such foolish people arguing over petty stuff rather than having
rational discussions on how to agree to disagree and being able to use our
collective gifts to solve what seems so unsolvable. We need peace.
The Dickensian character: Bob Cratchet, is the
personification of humblity, nobility, and selflessness. Our nation and
neighborhoods could use some Bob. Our national leaders could use some Bob. And
our pursuit of happiness will mean a whole lot more if it means me working to help
you achieve yours and you doing likewise. We need peace and we need otherness
(Philippians 2.3,4: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather,
in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests
but each of you to the interests of the others.) But we cannot do that without
peace. And we cannot have peace without Someone strong enough to overcome our
sin.
The angels in Luke 2 proclaimed: “Glory
to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor
rests.” The angels got it: we humans need peace and we need peace throughout our
entire earth. But it starts with me and it must start as I relate rightly to
God through His Son whom He sent to beget peace in the human heart with God
Himself, and thereby empowering me to have peace with you – whoever and
wherever you are.
Merry Christmas! Tim said it right: God bless us, every one. That’s peace,
and that is what God offers, through His Son, us on earth upon whom His favor
rests. It’s my prayer for you and me.
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