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zeborahChristmas is traditionally a winter thing, but here in New Zealand it comes in summer. In the north the days are dark; in the south the days are long. And when our winter comes, it will be the north's turn for the long days. The earth keeps turning, and no matter how dark it is in one place, there is always light somewhere.
93 years ago, in the midst of the trenches of World War I, both German and British set down their guns and joined to celebrate Christmas together, singing carols, eating dinner, and playing football.
Even in the summer (unless one lives much farther south than I) night comes. Tonight at 11:30 my mother and I went up to a beautiful church on the hill, where all the lights had been turned off and we sang by the light of the candles we were each given. A couple of minutes before midnight we began singing "Silent Night" and as we sang "Shepherds quake at the sight / Glories stream from heaven afar" the minister lit the Christ candle in the wreath. "Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!" And when the carol was finished, we blew out our candles as the lights were turned on again.
The closing prayer reminded us that there is yet misery in the world. That is never to be forgotten or denied. But it would be just as wrong to forget or deny that there is also joy. There is war; and there is peace. There is hatred, and there is love.
There is darkness; and here, today, is a great light.
Merry Christmas.
93 years ago, in the midst of the trenches of World War I, both German and British set down their guns and joined to celebrate Christmas together, singing carols, eating dinner, and playing football.
Even in the summer (unless one lives much farther south than I) night comes. Tonight at 11:30 my mother and I went up to a beautiful church on the hill, where all the lights had been turned off and we sang by the light of the candles we were each given. A couple of minutes before midnight we began singing "Silent Night" and as we sang "Shepherds quake at the sight / Glories stream from heaven afar" the minister lit the Christ candle in the wreath. "Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!" And when the carol was finished, we blew out our candles as the lights were turned on again.
The closing prayer reminded us that there is yet misery in the world. That is never to be forgotten or denied. But it would be just as wrong to forget or deny that there is also joy. There is war; and there is peace. There is hatred, and there is love.
There is darkness; and here, today, is a great light.
Merry Christmas.
