A Gift to Ourselves and to Suffering Humanity

                                                      (By John Robert Howell)



        Among the many somber events preceding Christ Jesus' crucifixion were the failure of the disciples, most notably Peter, to stay awake while with him at Gethsemane and Peter's denial shortly thereafter that he was a follower of Jesus, a particularly painful moment in light of his vehement denial that he would ever abandon the Master.  It is easy to "tsk tsk" these failings with perhaps a dash of smugness but we might ask ourselves "Would I really have acted more courageously?"  But then, a more basic question might be "Do I express enough real Christliness to have even been chosen as one of the twelve?"   For myself I'm pretty sure I know the regrettable answer.

        Not very Christmasy musings, I agree, but it isn't the birth of the infant Jesus which is of so much importance as it is the life of Christ Jesus.  Gift buying, wrapping and opening, tree decorating, carol singing (inspiring and beatiful as many of them are), gourmandising, and jolly festivities won't bring one noticeably closer to demonstrating the Truth, Life and Love Christ Jesus' works and words expressed.  While we are perhaps carving another turkey, ham, or goose this holiday season would it not also be wise to carve out some quiet time in our busy lives to contemplate the object lesson Peter offers and to be fervently thankful to God for His unspeakable gift to ourselves and to suffering humanity.