This past Monday, Eric and I, along with several other members of our Binghamton-area young adult fellowship group, went to the Oakdale Mall for a Community Gathering of Peace. Members of the Whittemore Hill UMC had folded almost 1,400 paper cranes, and they were hung on Christmas trees and on the nativity scene in the mall.
There was quite a sizeable gathering of people, much to my surprise, and there was a brief service with thoughts shared by the pastor of the Whittemore Hill church and songs shared by two different UM church choirs. Then the entire crowd sang a few songs together. As we sang "The Times They Are A-Changin'" by Bob Dylan, Eric leaned over to me and said, "Grampsy is smiling." This was one of my grandfather's favorite songs, and social justice was incredibly important to him.
I think Eric was right--Grampsy was smiling. It warmed my heart, too, to be able to gather with people of faith in a shopping mall, of all places, to remind one another that Jesus' birth is about love and peace and saving grace and not about Barbie dolls and Jonas Brothers CDs and iPods--Christmas is about remembering to love each and every one of our neighbors, no matter what they think or say or do, because Jesus loves each of us, no matter how foolish and arrogant and sinful we are.
It's easier to buy gifts than to love, isn't it?
Thank you, Whittemore Hill UMC, for reminding me what I should be thinking about during this season.
There was quite a sizeable gathering of people, much to my surprise, and there was a brief service with thoughts shared by the pastor of the Whittemore Hill church and songs shared by two different UM church choirs. Then the entire crowd sang a few songs together. As we sang "The Times They Are A-Changin'" by Bob Dylan, Eric leaned over to me and said, "Grampsy is smiling." This was one of my grandfather's favorite songs, and social justice was incredibly important to him.
I think Eric was right--Grampsy was smiling. It warmed my heart, too, to be able to gather with people of faith in a shopping mall, of all places, to remind one another that Jesus' birth is about love and peace and saving grace and not about Barbie dolls and Jonas Brothers CDs and iPods--Christmas is about remembering to love each and every one of our neighbors, no matter what they think or say or do, because Jesus loves each of us, no matter how foolish and arrogant and sinful we are.
It's easier to buy gifts than to love, isn't it?
Thank you, Whittemore Hill UMC, for reminding me what I should be thinking about during this season.
If you'd like to read more about the Community Gathering for Peace, click here.
1 comment:
Well said. Did you bring a crane home to hang on your tree?? If you need a tree, we have one in the back yard. love you lots, mom
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