Christmas Hope

​I read a prayer this morning that inspired me to sing with the Christmas Angels—proclaiming joy to world and peace on earth—in spite of the violence, trauma, and grief that is so prevalent in our world. It was a prayer written by the Dominican Sisters of Peace.
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​O God, true source of wholeness and peace, in a world bearing fresh wounds of suffering and grief, you call us to be a people of healing. Help us to reach out to neighbors in need, to bear one another’s burdens, to weep with those who weep. Give us the grace to share the comfort of Christ with all those who long for his healing touch. Help us to hold in our hearts and show in our lives what we proclaim with our lips:  Goodness is stronger than evil; love is stronger than hate; light is stronger than darkness; hope is stronger than despair.
​(Pax Christie)

​Jesus said: In this world you will have trouble but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world. His words are true and his promise is secure! These are not cheap words that tell us to fake it until we make it. Jesus does not expect us to sing songs of triumphalism as a sign of faith when faced with the agony of defeat. Instead, Jesus invites us to be honest when the storms of this world wreck our lives and to find comfort and peace for our troubled souls in the powerful love of God.

​​​One way to resist all that is wrong in the world is to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters whose faith and hope have been shattered. We can lament and mourn with them, and in so doing, help bare their burden.
 
When our brother’s faith grows weak, we can have faith on his behalf. When our sister’s hope withers into despair, we can proclaim hope on her behalf.  Therefore, let us join the angel’s chorus and sing on behalf of our brothers and sisters who are simply trying to survive this Christmas season: 

 ​I bring you good news of great joy; for today a savior has been born for you—whose goodness is stronger than evil; whose love is stronger than hate; whose light is stronger than darkness; whose hope is stronger than despair—Christ the Lord!
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