"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." -- Isaiah 9:2
That's how the first lesson of Christmas Eve opens. It's familiar and comforting, as the familiar words go on to say that light has shined on those who live in deep darkness, that God has brought joy to people living under oppression, for a child has been borne to us. The name of that child is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace -- and God is bringing an endless peace through an heir to the throne of David (vv 3,4, 6,7). This year we're going to hear a bit we haven't heard in Episcopal churches before, in that missing verse 5. It's pretty shocking, but it helps explain why the hunger for light is so intense, and the joy so great when it comes: "For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire." The coming of this prince of peace will mean the end of all signs of war and violence. An occupied people will finally live in peace, without anxiety about who or what will confront them the next time they go out their front doors.
People in many parts of this world still live with the echo of tramping boots and the memory of bloody clothing. Many Episcopalians are living with that anxiety right now, particularly in Haiti and Sudan. Americans know it through the ongoing anxiety after Sept. 11 and in the wounded soldiers returning to their families and communities, grievously changed by their experience of war. Remember the terror of war when you hear those words about light on Christmas Eve. Remember the hunger for peace and light when you hear the shocking promise that a poor child born in a stable will lead us all into a world without war. Remember the power of light when you go out into the darkness after hearing those words -- and pray that you and those around you may become instruments of peace.
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" -- Luke 2:14
Dorian de Wind: A Christmas Message for our Troops in Harm's Way
Blue Christmas services offer solace during holidays
So, what's to like here?
We love our Shepherdess.
Pax in Terra!
The people of Haiti need to organize themselves, and get back on their feet, and figure out what they're going to do for a future. Maybe, if they work at it, they can figure out how to be something other than a haven for various forms of organized crime, and come to a point where they can participate in legitimate international trade or something like that to a level where they can support themselves, or at leas reason out how to do it locally, make their own clothes and appliances and bathroom fixtures and the umpty-odd thousand other things that an average country ends up needing. But, it all takes work, and somewhere in there, it also takes money. So, what can they do, what can they make, what can they sell right now, that'll help them along the way in the quest to build a better country for themselves? Do they have a good neighbor, friend, and ally, in the Dominican Republic? What is the current literacy rate in Haiti? How many craftsmen do they have? What are their current forms of trade? Do they have good people in public office right now? Is everyone kind of standing around, dejected, unmotivated etc.? How's the local food agriculture going, are people able to get the seeds and stuff they need to make the magic happen? How about the aid agencies, any good news in that dept.?
Once in Royal David’s City stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a mother laid her baby.
You’d do well to remember the things He later said.
When you’re stuffing yourselves at the Christmas parties,
you’ll laugh when I tell you to take a running jump.
You’re missing the point I’m sure does not need making;
that Christmas spirit is not what you drink.
So how can you laugh when your own mother’s hungry
and how can you smile when the reasons for smiling are wrong?
And if I messed up your thoughtless pleasures,
remember, if you wish, this is just a Christmas song.
Hey, Santa: pass us that bottle, will you?
http://bible.oremus.org/
Episcopalians use the NRSV.
http://bible.oremus.org/
NRSV
Love the subtlety.