This week I spoke to a Lutheran women's group. Each one was asked to introduce herself by telling an early memory of Christmas. Several spoke of growing up on farms where "chores" had to be done before any celebrating, church services or big meals - all spoke of excited expectation waiting for Christmas, older siblings returning home, small gifts and the reading of the Christmas story from Luke One of my memories is of dad saying, "give the cows an extra helping tonight - it's Christmas eve"!. There was a theme of expectation and joy in these stories.
Animals in the stable play a role in the Christmas story according to St Luke, and a child plays a big role in Dickens' Christmas Carole story. Giovani Papini, an Italian writer, wrote "First to worship Jesus were animals, not men. Among men he sought out the simple hearted; among the simple hearted he sought out children. Simpler than children, and milder, the beasts of burden welcomed him".
Yesterday our eyes were filled with tears as we heard the news and stories from an elementary school in Connecticut - innocent children and teachers killed only a few days before Christmas - the excitement and joy snuffed out. From such a distance most of us are only observers and recipients of this sad news - but we participate as part of the story through our pondering and prayers, personally and in our places of worship. I am thankful to hear and see, amongst many interviewed, a rabbi, a priest and a pastor in the midst - there with many others to console and hold close those who are suffering and bereaved. May God's peace be with them all!
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