For 2000 years, Christians have been
celebrating the birth of Jesus. Born in a stable, surrounded by
shepherds and farm animals, He was not recognized by many on that
first Christmas Day.
Coming near the Winter Solstice,
Christmas is also a celebration that the Light is returning to the
World, the days are lengthening. It is a time of hope and a time of
peace. It is a time for family and friends. It is a time to
recognize anew the Christ Child in our fellow man and treat all
accordingly.
The world is not yet at peace. A
recent tally at the Wars in the World website shows 60 nations plus 368 separate
armed groups, militia, or guerrillas involved in conflict of some
kind or other. And we are not yet at peace with ourselves. The
twenty first century finds us inundated daily with anxiety producing
events and with incredibly ignorant comments on those events.
No we are not there yet. But each of
us can commit to a less violent, more supportive world and hope that
soon all will do likewise – that the arms dealers and war mongers,
the haters and the dividers finally recognize the true meaning of the
Christmas message. Each of us can look to our families and friends
and communities and understand what is truly important in our lives.
Here's are two great videos of the Christmas song "O Holy Night!":
A beautiful video with Pavarotti, Charlotte Church and Celine Dion singing separate verses in the background.
Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo at a 1999 concert in Vienna
Have a Happy, Peace-filled and Hopeful Christmas!
