“We should live our lives as though Christ were coming this afternoon.” -Jimmy Carter, 1924-2024, 39th President of the United States.

It is Holy Week. No, it is not the week between Palm Sunday and Easter we devote to the Passion of Christ, but it is the week following the epic birth of the Incarnate God coming to earth. 

There is only one God and he is manifest to us in the Son. 

Do you not note the differing rhythm of life everywhere on Christmas day that includes everyone? 

I live in a mutli-religious neighborhood. My cul-de-sac has three Jewish families, one Muslim, and three Christians. The first text I received on Christmas morning was from my Muslim neighbor, “Merry Christmas!” with a heart. They were planning their family dinner to celebrate our holiday. A menorah is stationed at the other end of our street. Our Jewish neighbors, Steve and Vicki,  brought over a Christmas cactus and I gave them an Orchid with a card depicting a dreidel for Hanukkah. 

Taking a walk on Christmas day, David and I noticed the empty streets. Serene. The sound of creation crisp in our ear. Holiness in the breathing of air. Over the weekend, calm faces in the market and church service overflowed with extended families filling the pews. 

There is a better thing than celebrating Christmas and that is keeping Christmas. Sow seeds of happiness and close your book of complaints.

 God has arrived in the Son. The new secular calendar year awaits you to be set apart. Be willing to believe love is stronger than hate, death, and evil; keep Christmas near for a Holy Week with devotion to trimming your lamp to give more light and less smoke. Enter the New Year with His brightness of eternal love.  

Prayer

Father God, Thank you for your Son made manifest to us fully human, fully divine.  🎵Guide us to thy Perfect Light. 🎵Amen