The morrow is Christmas, in this, the year of Our Lord 2017.
My thoughts have been stirred by exchanges on a sad incident at a Walmart in California, and so let me clip from a comment in that thread:
KF, 8:>>observe how Christmas comes out in say the Harry Potter books, pointing to the issue that Christmas is also a time for kids to be celebrated and cherished. Makes a lot of sense as a child embodies a world of hope, echoing the hopes of Divine breakthrough and rescue centred on the Christ child that are to be found in the opening chapters of Matthew and Luke.>>
In the F/N following, I added: “if Christmas is in material part a celebration and loving cherishing of children as hopes for the future, is that not then a mark of a culture of progress?” (Going on, “in that light, how will a culture that is suicidally depressed and so fears the future predictably react to a celebration that highlights hope and joy?”)
Okie, time for some hope, courtesy two of C20’s great Christian men of letters — and thanks to somebody out there who put these illustrated quotes up:
C S Lewis:
G K Chesterton:
So, now we know how to have hope in the face of daunting challenges. Yes, once it came upon a midnight clear, that glorious song of old. And yes, thirty-odd years later, it was a dark Friday of injustice by the scheming and cowardice of a broken system. But it still stands: it was Friday, but Sunday was coming!
So, let us go forth and celebrate the hope that is in the Christ-Child and which hope is echoed in every precious little soul given to us by our Creator. And so, in the traditional words, let us begin:
>>Luke2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [KJV]>>
Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. END