You are all Children of God
–Galatians 3:26
And so it is Christmas Eve, a time when everyone is waiting. Waiting for Santa. Waiting for presents. Waiting to see the looks on the kids’ faces to make sure they’re happy with the toys they get. We’re waiting, always waiting
But that’s the problem with Christmas Eve and Advent; they suggest that we should be waiting for something, some miracle from above, some thing to happen to us.
But there just isn’t time.
There isn’t time to wait when children are being abused.
There isn’t time to wait when women are being dismissed as second-class (or even third-class if they’re pregnant) citizens.
There isn’t time to wait while hatred because of skin color grows.
There isn’t time to wait while whole nationalities are being kicked around for not being rich enough to buy their way into the country.
There isn’t time to wait while our city becomes convinced that only those who can count do count.
There isn’t time to wait while homosexual teens are being beaten, mocked and spat upon for being born different. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re all born different.
We’re all freaks and weirdos. We’re all illegals, second, third and last-class citizens.
We’re all the 99%. And we’re the 1% too–when we open our eyes enough to see the suffering that our getting is causing.
We’re all special-needs. We’re all black, white, women, men and children.
We’re all Children of God.
The miracle of Christmas eve isn’t that God came once. The miracle isn’t something we have to wait fro from the heavens. The miracle is that faith calls us all God’s sons and daughters. The miracle has already happened. So what exactly are we waiting for?
As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.
–Galatians 3:27-28
Advent and Christmas Eve aren’t about waiting for miracles. They’re about creating them. Our friends, our enemies, our sisters, our brothers, our parents, our neighbors, our strangers, and especially our Children, bless them every one, our Children can’t wait any longer.
It’s time for us to be the miracle that our would needs. Just in time for Christmas.
So true, Russell. I get so discouraged because it seems like we aren’t making very much progress in recognizing that just because someone isn’t “like us” doesn’t mean they’re bad. And when we don’t speak up against injustice because it doesn’t directly affect us, we degrade ourselves and our community. It’s hard to speak up because someone will always be there to try to swat you down because they feel threatened. But we have to do it anyway. If my kids learn nothing else, I want them to come out of childhood with empathy for others and an understanding that we’re all different, and that’s a GOOD thing.
I’m sure they’re well on their way, Rhonda! Merry Christmas to you all!
Amen and Amen.
Thanks for everything, Redeye. I hope you and yours have a very merry Christmas.
Love this. And so true.
Thanks Heather; Merry Christmas!
Awesome. Absolutely Awesome, and well put!
Thanks Dusty! Merry Christmas!