BIRTHING AND BEFRIENDING THE WORLD

At Christmas we remember: today is born a Savior, Christ the Lord. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God did not remain aloof. God did not forsake a marvelously evolving creation.

At Christmas we remember: peace on earth; good will to all people. God bequeaths peace. God invites families to sheath the sharp knife in the table napkin.

At Christmas we remember: God crafted us beautifully. God intended harmony. Not either...or. Instead both...and: flesh and spirit. Intelligence and feeling. Creativity and cleverness. Compassion and kindness.

At Christmas we remember: the child named Jesus was not born in synagogue or church. He was not born in a state-of-the-art hospital or five-star hotel. He was born in a cattle trough. He was born humble and poor.

At Christmas we remember: his mother was unwed, She felt kinship with the lowly and the downtrodden. He grew up among peasant farmers and shepherds.

At Christmas we remember: the prophet Jesus had not place to lay his head. The preacher Jesus mingled with migrants and day-workers.

At Christmas we remember: God calls us friends. God calls us partners. Once upon a time we were awkward with the world. We were clumsy together. In earlier days forebears in faith did everything possible to escape the world. Head to the desert, to the cave, to the mountain fortress, to the lovely estate. Seek holy leisure. Seek God's face.

Wear the clothing of either...or. Be free of flesh. Avoid cupidity. Eschew greed. Free the spirit. Acquire noble motives. Embrace the unwashed dutifully.

At Christmas we remember: God calls us friends. God calls us partners. We are at home in the world. We dance better together. In more recent days we do everything possible to befriend the world. Seek God's hand in the world, God's spirit in the world, and God's grace in the world.

Wear the clothing of both...and. Be partners with the world. Enter into the sparkling laughter of children, the delight of the newly married, the joy of grandparents quietly eating apples, the pleasure of old friends, the kindness of next-door neighbors, the thoughtfulness of co-workers, and the courage of peacemakers.

At Christmas we remember. We are God's friends. We are God's partners. We enter places wet red with war; we take a chance and trust the peace process. We enter place raw with slave labor; we take a chance and stand up for the common good in trade unions. We enter places charged with friction; we take a chance and start respecting each other's dignity.

At Christmas we remember: We are God's friends and partners, midwives birthing a new millennium. Through us the Word gets a hearing, cultures get born; peoples and planet get to flourish.