Defend the cause of the poor of the people.
Psalm 72:4
Has Christmas merely lost its meaning, or is it just evolving? I've often thought about that question as I've wandered the malls searching endlessly for that one gift, or for that one sibling I just can't leave behind. I think Christmas has evolved, which is a challenge for us. How do we remain faithful around this season when feelings ofjoy, comfort, and celebration are sometimes side by side with a kind of overdone materialism?
Has Jesus taken a backseat to Microsoft, stuffed animals, and bicycles? We need the CHRIST back in Christmas! Public talk of the religious side of Christmas is relegated to the extreme right-wing talk shows, saying that certain people have "Declared War on Christmas!"
I beg to differ. We have not yet tried to declare war, but rest assured when we do, we will do it with love and compassion for our fellow humans; remembering generous defense of the causes of the most vulnerable by giving of our time and money to homeless shelters, to provide aid to HIV-positive persons in Africa, or to the Red Cross or Salvation Army—locally and globally engaged to live as better Christians in the world and to help our society.
- Justin Lyman
Sustaining God, teach us paths of simplicity and caring, with capacities to create new and just expressions of ancient traditions as members in your church and world. [El Greco, The Miracle of Christ Healing the Blind]
Psalm 72:4
Has Christmas merely lost its meaning, or is it just evolving? I've often thought about that question as I've wandered the malls searching endlessly for that one gift, or for that one sibling I just can't leave behind. I think Christmas has evolved, which is a challenge for us. How do we remain faithful around this season when feelings ofjoy, comfort, and celebration are sometimes side by side with a kind of overdone materialism?
Has Jesus taken a backseat to Microsoft, stuffed animals, and bicycles? We need the CHRIST back in Christmas! Public talk of the religious side of Christmas is relegated to the extreme right-wing talk shows, saying that certain people have "Declared War on Christmas!"
I beg to differ. We have not yet tried to declare war, but rest assured when we do, we will do it with love and compassion for our fellow humans; remembering generous defense of the causes of the most vulnerable by giving of our time and money to homeless shelters, to provide aid to HIV-positive persons in Africa, or to the Red Cross or Salvation Army—locally and globally engaged to live as better Christians in the world and to help our society.
- Justin Lyman
Sustaining God, teach us paths of simplicity and caring, with capacities to create new and just expressions of ancient traditions as members in your church and world. [El Greco, The Miracle of Christ Healing the Blind]
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