Tag Archives: Christmas

Peace

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Photo Credit Pixabay: JennyandtheSummerDay; Christmas beach sea holiday sky

Yesterday was Christmas Day—unless you live on the other side of the world to Australia. In which case, it may still be the 25th of December. Given it was a quieter celebration this year, our family watched a Christmas movie to wring out the last vestiges of the festivities before saying goodbye to Christmas 2022. As the movie, which was based on real events (love those) closed to credits, the background song played on, but in a moment the words gripped my heart—you know, those songs that really speak to you? I had to look up the artist.

Casting Crowns, 2008, ‘I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day’

℗ 2008 Provident Label Group LLC, a unit of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT; Arranger: Mark Hall & Dale Oliver

I won’t include all the lyrics, but these are the ones that grabbed my attention:

And in despair I bowed my head / There is no peace on earth I said / For hate is strong and mocks the song / Of peace on earth, good will to men

But the bells are ringing (Peace on Earth) / Like a choir singing (Peace on Earth) / Does anybody hear them? / Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep / God is not dead, nor doth He sleep (Peace on Earth, peace on Earth) / The wrong shall fail, the right prevail / With peace on earth, good will to men

After our movie watching last night, I took time to reflect on this extraordinary moment in history that literally changed our world forever. The turning point in time. As the bright lights, excitement, dining (and sometimes whining) of Christmas gave way to the post-Christmas shift towards newness and hope of a fresh year, those words kept cycling: ‘Then rang the bells more loud and deep / God is not dead, nor doth He sleep / The wrong shall fail, the right prevail / With peace on earth, good will to men’.

We’ve seen evil increase its visibility over the past few years. In some cases we’ve seen the ugliest side of humanity, which crafty, controlling, entities have done their best (or worst) to take advantage of. People are wearying in their stand for hope and the promise of a bright future. Some despair over whether it’s possible.

But peace speaks to the heart of this season in which we find ourselves. A peace that resists evil. A peace that eradicates fear. A peace that passes all understanding. A peace that breaks chains of hopelessness and torment. A peace that crumbles wicked plans. A peace that is greater than darkness and illuminates our future with brightness and hope, proclaiming goodwill and unveiling the truth: The wrong shall fail, the right prevail / With peace on earth, good will to men.

Photo Credit Pixabay: wenzlerdesign; crib Christmas nativity scene

From obscure beginnings that turning point in time—the birth of the Christ child—brought this promise to the whole world. Right WILL prevail over evil—no matter how much ‘reality’ decries this claim. Like night and day, evil must give way as we stand and speak peace to our circumstances. Impossible though it may seem at times, I am certain that this peace changes everything. Starting with us.

Merry Christmas to you all. Peace and great hope for a bright new year.

A Long Way Home

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Did you know that recent statistics reported over 105,000 people as homeless in Australia? Alarmingly, 27% of those people are under 18 years of age, with 16% under 10. (Yes, ten!) Australia isn’t alone in these stats, with many countries seeing staggering numbers of homeless people sleeping on the streets or in non-permanent sleeping arrangements.

Homelessness is confronting, and was on my radar well before I wrote the scenes in Integrate where Blaine, the teenage hero of the novel, finds himself sleeping rough on the streets. Sometimes homelessness can seem an overwhelming issue. Perhaps this is because of its prevalence and the complexity of circumstances that can lead to someone becoming homeless. And the reality is it can happen easier than one might imagine.

Many cases of homelessness slip under the radar, especially couch surfers who may technically have a roof over their head most nights, but have no permanent residence. The impact on those living in transient housing is significant: socially, economically, mentally, physically and more. Consider this for children, who are supposed to go to school and learn, but they don’t even know if they have a bed each night, or even food.

For this reason it’s been great to see so many incentives raising funds and awareness of this issue. This Saturday just gone, our local city held their ‘Hike for the Homeless‘, which is a fundraising opportunity that exists in a number of communities about Australia. Other opportunities that people can get onboard with include ‘Hangout for the homeless‘, ‘Homeless for a Week‘ and ‘Vinnies Community Sleepout‘. Even professionals, like social workers, have taken up similar efforts to bring positive change to this situation. It’s also been great seeing a number of churches about Australia, such as those in the Yarra ranges, opening their doors to the homeless to provide food, shelter, bathroom facilities and hope.

As great as these programs are, when we start thinking of homelessness on a more personal level it can be a little more confronting. It’s one thing to join a collective effort, it’s another thing to look a homeless person in the face and offer them … Well, what can we offer? A coffee, either in person or by paying it forward? A meal? A hug? A donation to ‘Swags for Homeless‘? Or even a room in our home?

As we approach Christmas, the awful reality is a whole bunch of people will be spending it alone, hungry, in old clothes, and with no ready bathroom facilities.

What do you think we can do? Is joining a worthy cause and fundraising enough? Or can we go beyond general kindness to practical steps, like befriending a needy stranger, and bring a little brightness into someone else’s world? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

‘Tis the Season

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Can you believe it’s nearly Christmas? I have to remind myself of this constantly, not only so I don’t forget to acquire the necessary presents, but because to me it still feels like we’re somewhere in October! (This is despite in store decorations and the frequency with which I get told, “Mummy, it’s only X days until Christmas!”)

This year has been interesting, challenging and full of change. As we head full throttle towards 2014, I have been to more parties per week than I’ve attended in months! Fun, but who would have thought frivolities could be so exhausting?! Yesterday I even had TWO Christmas parties: one with my writing group and one with family. As always, each event was full of laughter and some VERY fine dining! (Yum!)

As the writing group party wound down, one of my writing friends and I took a moment to chat and reflect. As people were savouring treats, laughing and exchanging gifts, I noted just how different each member was and how much strength and wisdom this diversity added to our group – like a support network.

Even though it is a season of such hope and joy, for some, Christmas can be a painful, lonely time. The reality is that some people don’t have a safe place where they can feel accepted and loved. It can be easy to forget this if we’re a part of a bigger, comfortable network.

That’s where the Christmas season becomes a great opportunity to hone our giving skills and reach out to others. And this doesn’t have to be complicated.

There are many opportunities to be involved with charity groups to support needy families in both small or large ways, but I’m sure we can all think of someone within our own circles who are disconnected, lonely or don’t share the same blessings we have. This might be a neighbour, a friend doing it tough, or even a stranger we frequently see on the street.

Perhaps this Christmas we can take a moment to consider and take action on an appropriate response to brighten the day of a lonely or needy person and let them know they are valued – even if it’s as simple as delivering some homemade Mars bar slice with a friendly smile.

Best of all, we can look for these opportunities any time of year, not just at Christmas!