Yesterday, Christians celebrated Christmas, the birth of Jesus. As a Christian, for me, this means that the Creator chose to become human, and ultimately, our teacher and uniter.

We sing loudly and proudly “Joy to the World” and “Peace on Earth.” Sadly, being a Christian has become stained with our human disagreements and divisions. For some, the word conjures fear of attack and an absence of compassion. I don’t believe this is what Jesus lived or taught; it is not his message.

 My prayer this Christmas season is that each of us may open our hearts to the joy of being alive and looking for good, no matter our circumstances. Discouragement is natural and unavoidable. Despair sometimes looks like our only option. Yet when we hit our bottom, there is always a path out and up. There is always hope.

The world needs joy and hope today. Whether we are prayerful or not, imagine if we wished our family, friends and others well on a daily basis. What if we offered this intention for joy and hope for each other no matter our differences? What if we offered this intention or prayer for people we love, for people we don’t understand, and even for people whose behavior appalls us? Imagine a simple intention that all will be well for each person in the universe.

Such intentions combined with simple acts of kindness and gratitude make us each an instrument or channel of peace. If we all desire to be channels of peace, there is hope that our world will become more peaceful, thus increasing our joy and hope.

As we end a year and begin another, regardless of our religious beliefs, nothing stops us from wanting good for all.  I believe there is power in that decision.

A friend here in Greenbelt who enjoys poetry sent me a poem by a Swedish poet, Bo Setterlind. I found it a great reminder and invitation to be the light.

Light candles

Don’t let the darkness prevent you

from searching for light.

And when you find it, let others see,

try it out, become convinced.

If you want light to prevail,

then light up for others

that same longing.

Light candles of frankness

in the darkness of fear,

light candles of justice

in the darkness of corruption,

light candles of faith

in the darkness of denial,

light candles of hope

in the darkness of despair,

light candles of love

in the darkness of death.

Light candles!

All the best for 2024!