Christmas
January 1, 2018
Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-8
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. –Genesis 1:1-5
Starting a new year with the story of creation is fitting. Even more fitting, the story of creation starts with light. We are in the process of celebrating the Light of Christ coming into the world in human form. Light opens new doors of understanding as the dark shadows disappear and we see more clearly.
Our society is currently having problems processing that which is clearer now. We are more racist than we thought we were. Sexual harassment is more a norm than the exception. Greed and lust for power are replacing compassion and the Common Good.
Insight is the catalyst for change if we turn around from the negative drivers in our lives and seek God’s guidance in creating a world where all are welcomed and loved, and all have enough of life’s necessities to thrive and develop.
Racism is a form of creating hierarchies of worth to enhance one’s self-esteem. It too gets tangled with greed as it justifies our right to have more than another. Misogyny is lust for power again building up self-esteem by taking control of another.
For some reason, I had a lot of desserts left over from my Christmas dinner. I froze it in individual serving with the intention of eating some of it as a special treat over time. It now calls to me every time I pass the refrigerator enticing me to designate all times as special. Greed works that way as it takes over our lives. It whispers we deserve it even when it is ultimately bad for us. I guess we could say the same thing regarding lust for power.
Christ’s light is available for all to access shining forth to show us a better way of living. It is time we followed his light.
Prayer: Lord, protect us from being enticed by greed and lust for power. Show us your better way. Amen.