*A publication I read some years back carried the story of an annual church Christmas Dinner. Over the years it had become a family affair which welcomed everyone, including people off the street. Members of the church brought their extended family. Small children, theater folk and those who had nowhere to go would eat together. The writer described it as a “weird and wonderful mix,” although not without problems.
One year, a loud argument broke out. There were caustic comments, threats of violence and worried people at the tables. Serious trouble was brewing until a quick thinking music director slipped behind the piano and belted out “Jingle Bell Rock.” Anger melted as Christmas carols rang out. In the biggest of ironies, those involved in the disturbance dropped their resentments and stood harmonizing with each other.
I thought of this story as we go through Advent with the background noise of Impeachment Hearings in Washington. Our nation, so divided along partisan lines that friendships have broken and families have ruptured.
Isaiah wrote,
“The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11:6
I look at these words wondering how it is possible for the wolf and lamb to change from hunter and hunted, to living in harmony. Something essential has to alter in the wolf for a lamb to feel secure in its presence. Peace in our families, our communities, our nation comes when we open our hearts to the changes God wants to make in each of us. May our Advent journey lead us to see each other and ourselves through God’s eyes, that one day we might sing in harmony with all of God’s children.
Daily Devotions and other Christmas resources can be found at this Link – Devotions for Advent to Epiphany
*The story is attributed to Kathleen C. Mandeville about St. Clement’s Annual Christmas (city unknown).
A Pastor's Heart 
This is beautiful! I am still unsure of my faith and don’t live in the USA, but we have political and religious divides here too. It’s sad that we can’t just all be tolerant of each other. I’m hoping that will happen someday.
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Me too.
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Reblogged this on Encouraging-Grace and commented:
Of all the advent stories so far– This on touched me and I want it to be true
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AMEN. Your story is so timely and true. It also helps me realize that the wolf – at some point – has to stop resisting the influence of that which seeks to transform him. I wonder when that will happen in Washington, D.C.?
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Thanks Russ. Transformation in Washington is something we all need to pray for.
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Amen!
I’ll never forget the Christmas I was with my extended family – my immediate family and my uncle and his side of the family, who held political views opposite our side.
I had just started college and had reached the age where my opinion was starting to matter, and I was getting more vocal, mainly about my newly discovered faith. The topic was the Viet Nam war, and the “discussion” was starting to heat up.
When one of the older generation turned to me and asked, “What about you, Ann? Do YOU want to see peace in Viet Nam?”
I blurted out the first thing that came to mind: “I’d settle for peace at the dinner table.”
When everyone was finished laughing, they changed the subject, and we all had a great celebration together. (Thank You, Jesus.)
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Reblogged this on Mitch Teemley and commented:
My Featured Blogger this week is Rev. Shirley Hobson Duncanson of A Pastor’s Heart. Shirley is a United Methodist pastor who has served at several churches in the Minnesota area over the years. I’ve enjoyed her thoughtful inspirational posts for some time now, and couldn’t keep her to myself anymore–especially after reading this uplifting post. Read and be blessed!
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One gigantic Amen, Shirley–what a lovely story and message!
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Wonderful story and wonderful post!!
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