We are called to compassion.

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness –
on them light has shined.

Isaiah 9:2

We often approach Christmas as the celebration of a past event, in effect the birth Jesus Christ. He came into the world in the same way we all did, a crying and shivering infant. His mission was to establish God’s kingdom on earth. But aside from our celebration of the nativity, we are called at Christmas to celebrate the continual birth of God and God’s kingdom in our midst, among the confusion, chaos and darkness that surrounds us.

The world is reacting to a terrible event that took place at an elementary school just a week ago. Adam Lanza, a troubled 20-year-old man, opened fire in a Connecticut elementary school killing 26 children and teachers, himself, and earlier that day, his own mother.

What do we celebrate when such violence claims the innocent?

Marc Pitzke, writer for the German newspaper Der Spiegel, reacted to the tragedy in Newtown, CT, by describing us, from the outside, as a nation with a troubled identity. Fearing the erosion of our nationalism and leadership in the world, we cling more closely to our weapons and illusions of power.

In scripture we learn that the child who is the Prince of Peace doesn’t respond to violence with violence, but offers an alternative way of building bridges and connections.

Violence has always been part of life on earth, as in the ancient world in the time of Jesus. King Herod, a traitor to his people, ordered the execution of all young male children in the village of Bethlehem in order to avoid the loss of his throne to the newborn King of the Jews, whose birth had been announced by the Magi.

But it is important to remember that we, brothers and sisters, are the hands and feet that can create change.

We are called by God to engage in the politics surrounding gun ownership, mental health resources, and violence and cruelty in the media. We are also called to be compassionate. Isolation is pervasive in our culture, especially among teenagers and young adults. We can be a light to those who are living in darkness by listening to their stories, speaking kindly, and having a spirit of inclusion.

Peruvian theologian Gustavo Gutierrez writes in his book Sharing the Word Through the Liturgical Year, “If during these days the coming of the Lord sets our hearts on fire, and if we respond by our commitment and solidarity to the gift of love which God gives in his son, we will gradually transform the threatening darkness into a human, peaceful and luminous night.”

Amid the violence and darkness, there is peace, love and solidarity against the oppressive forces in the world. Our inclusive communities, our love for humankind, can transcend the violence that plagues the world.

In Luke’s gospel, which will be read across the world on Christmas Eve, angels rejoice, praising God saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

Christ is born. Heaven and earth have come together. The human race and God are connected. Now we embrace one another, the homeless, the hungry, the troubled, the mentally and physically disabled, the isolated, the oppressed, because Christ is in them, too.

Even with terrible tragedies happening daily in the world, we pray that the peace of the Christ child brings you transcendent love, faith and hope – the things that can work against the violence and oppression in the world.

Merry Christmas from the staff at The Episcopal Center. Joy and peace in 2013.
– The Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert and the EDWM Staff