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God’s Wish: Loving World

The Freeman’s Journal/HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Edition of Thursday-Friday Dec. 25-26, 2014

Ah, this wondrous and magical time of year! The joyous and festive sounds of Christmas Carols; excitement and anticipation in shopping for, wrapping, and then giving and receiving gifts; Christmas Trees resplendent in lights, tinsel, ornaments and star; Candlelight Services on Christmas Eve; friends and family gathered together, with the aromas and tastes we love so much – I do love Christmas! Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Yet for me, the birth of Jesus above all celebrates a man who I would follow and give my life for even if there were nothing divine about him. What most inspires me are his radical stand for inclusion and welcome of all, regardless of belief or social “respectability”; a courage and fierceness grounded in love; wisdom and depth, clarity and compassion; the healing that was in his hands, the wholeness that was in his heart; his undauntable vision of a world that works for everyone, One world – sacred to God: a world at peace, a world at prayer, a world at play.

I still cherish the celebrations; but for me, the greatest of Christmas gifts would be the one that we, as a species, could offer God: finally beginning to act like the loving family we were created to be.

Merry Christmas!

The Rev. MARK MONTFORT
First Presbyterian Church, Oneonta

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