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Christmas Message
December 2014
The Birth of Hope, cont'd
The Rev. Peter J. Miano
Our Advent and Christmastide lections are neither escapist nor simplistic,
seasoned as they are with stories of political intrigue, peril to human life,
and ominous portents of danger. Thankfully, the biblical faith is not a form
of spiritual anesthesia, numbing us to life’s realities. Hope is not
a form of wistful, wishful thinking. The promise of the Gospel faith and the
source of hope is not deliverance from life’s myriad challenges. Rather,
it is a promise of fortification in the midst of those trials. Rooted and
grounded in the being of God, hope is the determination against all odds and
in spite of any life experience to persevere in the sure knowledge that God
is with us.
One of the most frequent questions I am asked when people learn about my work is, “Is there any hope for the Middle East?” One of the most satisfying benefits of my work is that I can answer that question with an unequivocal and emphatic, YES! Not because everything there is just dandy, but because I have had the privilege of knowing so many people of faith there who have committed themselves to reconciliation when there are so many excuses to retreat to bitterness, to give in to hostility, or to respond from a sense of wounded and entitled victimization. The conflicts in the Middle East are purely human inventions, fed by exclusive, extremist nationalism. The nations of the world, led by our own, eagerly perpetuate Israel’s apartheid system, enthusiastically support feudal dictatorships in places like Saudi Arabia, foot the bill for wholesale, military repression in places like Egypt and create the instability that results in sinister, extremist movements like ISIS. Yet, even when they are marginalized by their own societies, vulnerable to political oppression and subject to harsh economic deprivation, I know too many Muslims, Jews and Christians in places like Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt and Syria who refuse to give up. Against long odds, they are impelled by their consciousness of the presence of God in their lives to strive toward a divinely inspired vision of harmony among people. Hope is not optimism. It is inspired, determined dedication to redeem a tortured present by working for a better future. Hope is rooted in the fortifying assurance of the presence of God in our lives—personally and immediately—wherever we find ourselves, whenever we seek God, even and especially when things don’t turn out right.
Our myriad traditions and observances in anticipation
of the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus help us reawaken a sense of
wonder and kindle awe in the face of mystery. Through our readings and rituals,
we reorient ourselves toward God. In our carols, in the glow of our flickering
candles and twinkling lights, we hear again and see as if for the first time
the majesty of God drawing near to us. No theological argument is more persuasive
than the personal experience of the presence of God. Reminded again of God’s
presence in human life, we experience the birth of hope, not long ago in a
distant manger, but in our own lives.
Rooted and grounded in the being of God, hope is the determination against all odds and in spite of any life experience to persevere in the sure knowledge that God is with us.
Reminded again of God’s presence in human life, we experience the birth of hope, not long ago in a distant manger, but in our own lives.