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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | DECEMBER 19, 2021
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Let ‘Peace on Earth’ not be an empty slogan RABBI IRWIN WIENER Columnist
At this time of the year, we are inundated with slogans. The most prominent of these is “Peace on Earth, good will toward men.” This came to mind when I could not think how futile the expression if it is only seasonal and is not carried forward in everyday life. Just 76 years ago, the remnants of the world’s most destructive episode determined that the only salvation for humanity was the formation of the United Nations to never allow the world to fall into the nightmare of total annihilation. We, the survivors of those horrors are
now witnessing the return to those days of hate and destruction. We have also attempted to recover from the worst desecration of democracy, containing vitriol and accusatory tones intended to incite distrust and foment the return of uncontrolled discrimination and contempt. This season dedicated to the worship of God, contains all that is contrary and distasteful in the relationship of man to man. How can we not feel that history is repeating itself, as described by George Santayana – “if we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it”? We are witnessing the utter destruction of civilization through victimization together with an atmosphere of hate and fear. We turn to God. Will God
listen? Will God answer our call for strength and courage? Only we can answer these questions in the quiet of our hearts and with our intentions in the forefront of decency and civility. We must remain resolute in our resolve to not let the barbarism we are witnessing transform us into feelings of discouragement. We must make every effort to bear witness to the truths that seem so remote. We must remain steadfast in our determination to remind ourselves that the message of this season of fulfillment and redemption remains a clarion call to action. Let the despicable acts of depraved individuals make us ever mindful of our responsibilities to make the slogan of this time of the year: “Peace on Earth – good will toward men” be not an empty
motto, but rather a reminder that there is so much more to be done, and at times, seeming to be so little time. To my Christian colleagues and friends, I extend a wish for the beauty of the significance of this holiday of hope brings true peace to hearts and minds of all who have witnessed the rebirth of salvation continue throughout the year and for a lifetime. May God show kindness – may God allow us to take the profane incidents to strengthen our determination to rebuild these desecrations to an even stronger display of goodness, mercy, and kindness as our traditions teach and as the prophets declared as they too watched nightmares of despair. Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D., is spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.
Reflections: Is Jesus in the ‘stable’ of your life? REV. MARVIN ARNPRIESTER Guest Writer
“I only did what you have done a thousand times, or more, when Joseph came to Bethlehem and knocked upon the door. I did not turn the Christ away, with alibi, so deft. Like you, I simply gave to him, whatever I had left.” - Author Unknown I think we have been a bit hard on the innkeeper. In many pageants, the innkeeper is portrayed as a stern, gruff man who did not have time to care about a woman and the baby she was about to deliver. Luke does not condemn him as he simply reports, “...and laid him in
the manger because there was no place for them in the inn.” There was a room, I suspect, but the innkeeper never thought of it. There was his room he could have shared but he was too busy with the best business in some time. I doubt it crossed his mind that since he was so busy, he would not be needing his room. He could share it with someone who could use it. Perhaps the reason we are so hard on the innkeeper is because we know we would have been more thoughtful. We would have done better if we had been there. But, really??? From Thanksgiving until Christmas Day, the whole world moves over, making room for the Baby Jesus. But the room we leave is always in the stable. It really doesn’t matter what we put in our
front yard or in our season greetings. Because we don’t live there. Most of the places we put Jesus today are the places we don’t need for anything else. We still put him in the stable. Jesus wants to be more to us than an eccentric relative who always embarrasses us when he comes. He wants to be more than someone we remember only on his birthday. All the lights, the deco-
rations, the gifts, the inflatable figurines, and pageants are worthless if they only serve to keep Christ in the stable of our lives. There is always room in the stable. But is there any room in our heart and life for Jesus Christ? He wants more than what we have left. Rev. Marvin D. Arnpriester is senior pastor of Sun lakes United Methodist Church.
Chandler United Methodist Church Making and Deploying Disciples for over 100 Years.
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