Joy
Posted by Jill Warner in Current Event Editorials.
Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)
As I look back over the year the article that stands out the most for me is the article entitled Inspired by Love. Certainly, this blog was inspired by a Love that words can never fully describe. The teaching of Jesus is transcendent of normal ways of thinking and being. They contain a transmission of Grace that has the power to open your heart to the infinite light of God. The painting of Jesus (see to the right) is a painting that I have been working on for the past several weeks. Even though it is not yet finished, I wanted to share it with you this Christmas Eve simply as a reminder that Jesus is real, beyond the dogma, confusion, and prejudice that often swirls around Christianity. He is the light that never ends and his words will lead you to a Joy that is beyond comprehension.
Last year we ended the year with a prayer from San Francis. He knew the love of Jesus and lived this love. His prayer is a prayer of the heart for your heart:
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
and Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11) Jesus is Joy! Truly, the Jesus teaching brings you to a direct experience of the infinite Joy, Love, and Grace of God. I am looking forward to a new year that deepens our understanding of Jesus Christ in the context of current events.
A CNN article reports that people are visiting Jerusalem this Christmas in record numbers due to the recent peace talks between Israel and Palestine. News like this is so very welcome in the context of the global conflict that we have all been witnessing around the world over the past several years. As Jesus illuminates, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
To everyone around the world may God Bless you with a transmission of Grace and open your heart to a deeper understanding of the transcendent message of Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Peace is in You – Always!
Yours in Truth - Jill
Christmas seems to be having an identity crisis. Christmas cards have transformed into Season Greetings cards, Christmas events have transformed into Holiday events, and nativity scenes have been replaced with Christmas trees adorned with reindeer, toy drums, Santa Claus, Elves, and Hanukkah candles. The politically correct idea of changing the name of Christmas to be more inclusive of myths and other religions has all but erased the name and meaning of Christmas. Would other religions tolerate this kind of degradation of a sacred event? An article posted on the Christian Science Monitor website loudly proclaims: British Muslims say, “Put Christ back in Christmas.” Since the July 1995 terrorist attacks in London, there has been a growing debate in Europe about Christmas – Does celebrating Christmas open the door to more terrorism and conflict? Muslim religious leaders feel this idea is ridiculous. They believe that this politically correct idea of leaving Christ out of Christmas has gone too far and see nothing wrong with Christians celebrating Christmas. Trever Phillips, Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, exclaims, “It’s time to stop being daft about Christmas. It’s fine to celebrate and it’s fine for Christ to be star of the show!” Muslim Council of Britain spokesman Shayk Ibrahim Mogra adds, “To suggest celebrating Christmas and having decorations offends Muslims is absurd. Why can’t we have more nativity scenes in Britain?”
