MU330 is an awesome ska band from my youth, and their cover of the poem I heard the Bells on Christmas is now part of my yearly Christmas celebration, as well as was an important part of my faith journey and formation. And in despair I bowed my head “There is no peace on earth,” I said, “For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men.” Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace on earth, good will to men.” I never much liked Christmas as a kid growing up, I never really wanted anything as far as presents went, and the whole idea of a holiday based on shopping and materialism was a big turn off. It wasnt until I started discovering engaging with the religious practices behind the holiday that it became at all important to me. I try to spend Advent (the 4 weeks of preparation before X-mas) actively engaging with the injustice and brokenness of the world, the places, and politics, and relationships that seem to be the most God-forsaken, the places that need hope, and love, and our attention. This year, I didnt have to look hard. Every year, I surround myself with the hopelessness of the world, hoping and praying for God to come into it, for God to be there working, and every year I am not disappointed. Christmas comes, and begins a celebration of that very thing. Christmas is a celebration of the Incarnation, of the coming of the light. In it, we celebrate and are reassured, that to work (to live!) for justice, peace, and love is not in vain. That within each and every one of us dwells a light that cannot be overcome by the darkness, and that when we join together, we restore in humanity an image of Divinity that cannot be broken, or scattered, or ignored. This is my Christmas-ing this year. So, Christmas on, Christmas-ers!
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 16:01:12 +0000
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