Sharing the joy of a white Christmas

     

     “Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers.” 

— Kahil Gibran  

     Our recent snowfall has brought a beautiful winter wonderland to Glenmeadows. And, it is the Season that we see an extra dose of kindness being spread around. 

     How our great, big, wonderful world can do with that. Many societies, companies and individuals have been collecting and providing hampers for the many needs surrounding us. As we help those, who for various reasons are a little less fortunate than ourselves, Jesus’ true spirit of love and giving shines forth. 

     As the countdown is on, and only “a few more sleeps” until the big day, many will be feeling stressed. We each find our own ways of celebrating this event called Christmas. 

     It’s been said, "we are a shop-'til-we-drop nation.” I often find myself cramming too much into my daily schedule, not always recognizing or respecting my limits. 

     But then, who wants to miss out on the delicious dinners and Christmas events happening in our community? 

     

     Or, the lovely Irving Berlin’s, White Christmas musical I recently attended at one of our local theatres. Throughout all of our at times, crazy busyness, it might be wise for us to consider how we are relating to those around us — especially our families, but also, that tired cashier at the grocery store. 

     Someone wisely said, “We have not fulfilled our duty to others until we have learned to be pleasant.” 

     Also, a calm, unruffled silence is often the most eloquent response to unkind words. It just might be wise for us to remember, as we gather with groups of family members or friends. You’ve heard the saying, maybe even from your mother. . . "be sure your sin will find you out.” 

     

     Actually, it’s in the Bible — found in Numbers 32:23.  

     Daily the media continues to expose those accused of sexual assault or harassment, abusing their position or taking advantage of their roles. Recently, a breach of ethical standards by our sitting prime minister — breaking multiple rules — is beginning to shake our confidence in government officials who misuse their offices. 

     Even the bread industry’s wide, price-fixing scandal to unjustly increase their profits, has recently been revealed. 

     What has happened to the integrity and truth we believed our powerful leaders would show in their leadership of our great country? There seems to be a flagrant disregard for truth and decency. Though many caught in the act say they just made a mistake, my Bible calls it “SIN” — a word we don’t hear used very often nowadays — sometimes, not even from the pulpits throughout our lands. 

     My dictionary explains it thus — “the breaking of divine or moral law, especially by a conscious act," or, "an action regarded as a serious offence or fault.”  

     

     Sin grieves God. In the Bible, Isaiah 1:18 says, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”  Christ-followers celebrate the birth of a Saviour, because as the angel said to Joseph, “He will save His people from their sins,” and they know they are the sinners He came to save.   

Have a Blessed Christmas everyone!

— Beulah