By Kathryn Hofley
King Herod believed that the birth of Christ was a disaster.
But the Magi believed just the opposite. They understood this birth to be a miracle of God—a sign that God was alive in the world. And they wanted to be a part of it. So they gave the Christ child their precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to help with what God was doing.
What about us?
We really do want a world that works for everyone.
• We don’t want children to go hungry.
• We don’t want violence and war, poverty, or starvation to plague our world.
• We don’t want terror or suffering happening in this country, or in any country.
• We don’t want to see any more commercials declaring how many billions of dollars Canadians spend on Christmas, while a poverty stricken child looks at the camera with tears running down her cheeks, accompanied by the song:
And so this is Christmas, For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones, The world is so wrong.
And so this is Christmas, And what have we done
Another year over, And a new one just begun.
We want everyone to have what they need for a safe and secure life. It’s not rocket science. Once it was: but not now. It is doable.
What can we do?
People in The United Church of Canada have boundless potential to impact the future.
The Magi left their legacy gifts and went back home another way.
The shepherds returned home, too. We return to our lives lamenting that Christmas doesn’t last, but they went back singing praises to God for all they had seen and heard.
Maybe these biblical characters are trying to show us the way into 2013.
• What have you heard this Christmas that makes you want to sing?
• Where did you see God alive in a way that shocked and delighted you?
Honestly, think about it for a few moments, because God was present in your Advent and in your Christmas. Ponder all these things, as Mary did.
Then consider the Magi; and consider leaving your precious legacy gift, like a bequest in your will, a gift of securities, or life insurance.
Let your Financial Development Officer, a deep-spirited friend, help you.
Kathryn Hofley
Financial Development Officer
Phone: 204-943-4844
Email: khofley@united-church.ca
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