Honour all ways of celebrating meaning and hope
To the Expositor:
Your old Haweater sends “Merry Christmas” greetings to readers and friends at home in the name of the One whose birth we in the Christ tradition celebrate. Being born at the old Mindemoya Red Cross Hospital under the direction of Dr. Jack and lead nurse Zella McCutcheon, and raised into the Christian faith continues to be a sacred privilege and an opportunity to grow. It has also led me to realize the importance of honouring all ways of celebrating and finding meaning and recognizing all paths that folks find to create meaning and hope. For me, however, meaning is found in the message of the Christ child and Christmas is a time to be wrapped up in a spiritual message of the gift of this child whose birth we celebrate. It’s a time to share the good news by writing, singing, sharing, honouring. However, it’s vital to honour all spiritual paths and ways including atheism, agnosticism, all faiths, creeds, belief, non- belief and all denominations.
For me, the Christian faith is my faith and my way—providing meaning, purpose, accompaniment in life and in death and in life beyond death. Celebrating the miracle of Christmas and a new year 2024, I thank God for the gift of his son Jesus Christ born in Bethlehem and born in our hearts when we truly believe and respond. Wow, it’s something to get excited about and it’s no wonder that we spend so much time getting ready for the Christmas event-baking, writing cards, planning for company, travelling to loved ones, finding that perfect gift and the list goes on.
All of this is important but much more valuable than gifts, candy, jewellery; more valuable than a mink coat or a beaver hat is the gift of the Christ child and leading a Christ-centred life, guided by God and God’s Holy Spirit.
May the peace of Christ, which passes all understanding, guard and keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, forever and ever, and may we always work for justice, peace and new life. Amen.
Rev. Jean Brown
(Retired clergy)
Mindemoya and Sharbot Lake
