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Christmas Cheer

Thursday, December 21, 2017 11:05

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Christmas Cheer

Cold city streets, adorned with Christmas cheer,

people rushing around looking for that last minute gift,

arms wrapped around friends, family, laughing,

anticipating turkey dinners, festive parties, so many at this time of year

planning which wrapping paper to use for presents bought on plastic credit

driven to debt, to celebrate the birth of a defenceless baby,

born in Bethlehem, in a run-down shack, of a discarded stable.

Walking purposely, people with smart phones stuck to ears,

speaking loudly, conversations marking the passing of years,

occasionally looking down and stepping over a dirty pile of discarded cardboard,

the stable, the cardboard, is not the only thing discarded;

as dishevelled people emerge

from these very visible hidden corners of our city streets,

freezing bodies, wearing the latest rags, homeless,

seemingly also hopeless, hapless, devoid of Christmas happiness.

Covered with blankets hidden under bridges,

existing on the edges of the Christmas cheer

Existing? Rather just about surviving here.

Desperate for more than a handout, or a cup of hot flavoured water,

human beings lost in the spiral of circumstances beyond control,

wearing past mistakes, clothed with stale regret,

drinking, heads sinking, hoping to forget.

Waiting for that Christmas miracle to appear,

filled with fear, unable to experience the miracle of Christmas cheer.

And yet here in our midst, when we open our eyes and hearts too,

the miracle is alive and well, thriving in the kindness of strangers

who give up time and more besides, to help,

to feed, to clothe, to give shelter, and bestow the gift of hope;

angels of mercy, vessels of compassion,

they are goodness wrapped up in kindness, as they reach out

to restore to all the hope that is revealed in this sacred season,

the revelation of this seasons real reason,

a restoration of hope, and an abundance of Christmas cheer.

I was inspired to write the above words by the simple task of going out Christmas shopping. There are pockets of people who are homeless and people and places that reach out to them. There are many good people who inspire admiration and who give hope to all of us. Christmas is a joy filled time and also a challenging one too. Where there is wealth and health, there is poverty and sickness nearby, happiness journeys with sadness. Pray for those who care for the homeless, those who shine as a beacon of light in the darkness. The Fireside centre in Birmingham does wonderful work. http://www.sifafireside.co.uk/ May this time of year inspire generosity from those who have, and hope and help for those who have fallen upon difficult times.

The words of Matthews’s gospel are challenging indeed.

Matthew 25:34-40

“Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous* will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

I pray today:

O God, our world is filled with light and shade, a world you ask us to care for. In our cities we see people living rough, with cardboard boxes for shelter, with little or nothing to eat. Lord bless the work of all dedicated to seeking out and caring for the downtrodden, the homeless, the desperate and those in need. Help someone who is homeless to receive a bit of hope today from the generosity and compassion of a stranger, or of a friend. Even a small amount of hope is better than no hope at all. Many of them have lost everything but we can offer them the gift of caring and loving support. Especially at this time of year may they experience love, hope, and shelter. Though Christ our Lord. Amen

Source: http://humblepiety.blogspot.com/2017/12/christmas-cheer.html

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