Black Lives Matter.
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

  • Voices
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Members
    • Covenant Partners
    • Issue Statements
    • Governing Board
  • Programs
    • Ecumenical Immigration Alliance
      • Ideas for Action
      • Sign Our Statement
      • The NC Sanctuary Coalition
      • Immigration Bible Study
      • Contact
    • NC Interfaith Power & Light
      • NCIPL Overview
      • Faith in Action NCIPL
      • NCIPL Articles
      • NCIPL Resources
      • Upcoming Events for NCIPL
      • Contact NCIPL
    • Partners in Health & Wholeness
      • PHW Staff
      • Mini-Grants
      • PHW Collaborative Pledge
      • The Overdose Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
      • PHW Articles
      • FAQs
  • Priorities
    • Racial Justice
    • The Overdose Crisis: The Faith Community Responds
    • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Public Education
    • NC Sanctuary Coalition
    • Farmworkers
    • Legislative Advocacy
    • Christian Unity
    • Peace
    • NC No Torture
  • COVID-19 Resources
  • Events
  • Resources
    • Publications & Reports
    • Raleigh Report
    • Lectionary
    • Sermons
  • Donate
  • Council Store
  • Show Search

Search NC Council of Churches

Hide Search

Which Christmas Will We Embrace in NC?

Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate · January 8, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Now that Epiphany is over, we are looking back on Advent and Christmas, and remembering our celebrations — special time with family, special foods or gifts.  An article in the Presbyterian Hunger Program’s winter newsletter entitled “For Which Christmas Are You Preparing” by Rev. Ellie Stock, Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, St. Louis, Missouri, led me to reflect on my warm-fuzzy memories in relation to questions she raises.

In terms of the real celebration God wants for Christmas, have I missed the boat?  Rev. Stock describes our three Christmas celebrations:

The first is the Christmas of Santa and Society: lights, decorations, feasts, shopping, hustle and bustle, Christmas trees, the commercial bottom line — fun but superficial, often numbing us to deeper needs and blinding us to the season’s larger meaning. The second is the Christmas of Faith and Family: tradition, memories, fireplace gatherings with family and friends, candlelight services, carols, and pageants with baby Jesus. Its theme is love, and its gift is hope; but the warm feeling invoked is incomplete unless it leads to a larger truth. The third is the Christmas of Mary and Messiah, the advent of one who provokes Herod and stands up to Pilot and other despots who prefer that God not meddle in human affairs, which unnerves us as well. This is the Christmas of justice, truth and love in our world, where we frequently find ourselves standing in the way.

Rev. Stock goes on to reflect on her community of Ferguson, Missouri and how the responses to the current events reflect the three Christmas celebrations. She notes that to “acknowledge the underlying issues of prejudice, racism, and white privilege that affect the economic, political, and cultural institutions…that will bring systemic change, justice, and equity in Ferguson and beyond” are needed to celebrate the true Christmas of the Messiah.

What do we in North Carolina need to acknowledge to address issues of “prejudice, racism, and white privilege that affect the economic, political, and cultural institutions …that will bring systemic change, justice, and equity” to our state and citizens?  May we make changes before we have a Ferguson event and make the changes Mary called for in her Christmas song of justice “He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty…” (Luke 1:46-53)

As our General Assembly and Congress reconvene, may we remember the Christmas call to “lift of the lowly and fill the hungry” in our advocacy.   May we celebrate the Christmas of Mary and the Messiah.

Filed Under: Blog, Homepage Featured Tagged With: Civil Discourse, Economic Justice, Equality & Reconciliation, Good Government, Peace, Prophetic Voice, Religion & Society

Avatar

About Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Health care reform, labor issues, member of NCCC peace, nominating and legislative committees. Activist for justice, grandmother of 6, Presbyterian and retired research associate from Biostatistics Dept, School of Public Health, UNC-CH. Currently on the board of NC Peace Action.

Reader Interactions

More Like This

Raleigh Report: Sidetrack for photo voter ID
Raleigh Report: Flawed deal to resurrect Silent Sam
Path to Fairer Maps, Better Government

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Anonymous comments or comments that target individuals will not be posted (please include your first and last name). All comments must be on topic and respectful. Comments will not be posted until they have been reviewed by a moderator. Comments do not reflect the positions of the NC Council of Churches.

Footer

Contact

NC Council of Churches
27 Horne St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 828-6501
info@ncchurches.org

Facebook

Partners in Health and Wholeness

Featured

Which Christmas Will We Embrace in NC?

Latest Tweets

FACT: Countries where maternal mortality rates have significantly dropped (~ -50%) in the past few decades (e.g., France, Germany, Sweden), have generous paid leave laws. #BlackHistoryMonth #Paidleave #BlackHealth pic.twitter.com/PgWW…

About 16 hours ago

Call your Member of Congress and tell them paid leave is crucial to public health and economic recovery. Text paidleave (one word) to 844-955-2880 or visit bit.ly/39PWQde to begin. #AmericanRescuePlan #PaidLeave #BlackHealth

Yesterday

“The foundation of our faith is, we are people of peace..." Read more about the dangerous bill that would allow concealed carry at churches with affiliated schools from @NCPolicyWatch and how we have responded. >>> pulse.ncpolicywatch.…

Yesterday

It's a beautiful day in the Triangle. Are you getting ready for that spring weather? 🌿🌺🍀 We are too!! Go to our store and check out our amazing tank tops quoting our motto: "Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice." ncchurches.org/store… pic.twitter.com/oAZr…

About 2 days ago

TOMORROW! Join us with Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Spearman on Faith Communities Supporting Democracy. There is still time to register. Follow the link >>> ncchurches.org/event… pic.twitter.com/RO2O…

About 2 days ago

Follow @ncchurches

Latest Tweets

Amen! #MindfulTogether twitter.com/cornerpr…

About 14 hours ago

RT @MAHECwnc There has never been a better time to quit smoking and vaping. Protect your health by keeping your lungs healthy! #quitlinenc #covid19 #asheville pic.twitter.com/bKlC…

About 15 hours ago

Check out this new resource from @DrugPolicyOrg challenging us to dig deeper and work together to uproot the drug war. uprootingthedrugwar.… #harmreduction #mindfultogether

About 16 hours ago

Dr. Julian's work was instrumental to the public health community. We carry his passion as we continue reckoning with our past so that we may continue building the beloved community. Learn more about Dr. Julian's legacy at pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ju…. #BlackHistoryMonth @novapbs pic.twitter.com/JJsm…

About a day ago

Join Faith in Harm Reduction TODAY at 4 p.m. for the launch of their virtual Roundtable series! The first roundtable centers on the Black church and needs, opportunities, and challenges for harm reduction in that context. Register below: secure.everyaction.c… #MindfulTogether

About 2 days ago

Follow @healthandfaith

Latest Tweets

RT @greenthechurch Be sure to read Green The Church's COO Kim Noble's op ed, "#EnvironmentalJustice in Focus this #BlackHistoryMonth", in the Texas Metro News! @Kimrenay22 #Austin #DFW #Houston #Texas #SanAntonio #EJ ow.ly/mOtw50DGQnN pic.twitter.com/IPOO…

About 5 hours ago

RT @ActionAidUSA To build a truly just, equitable & sustainable world, we need to fight for a new #socialcontract. That means: ✔️ Defending democracy ✔️ Fighting for climate justice ✔️ Building equitable food systems ✔️ Supporting women’s leadership. Learn more: bit.ly/2M8xT40 pic.twitter.com/fEWv…

About 5 hours ago

RT @interfaithpower IPL is proud to be a signer on this letter. The U.S. must provide bold and socially just leadership to protect our communities from the impacts of climate change, including the threats to our economy- @sbhendershot twitter.com/RealBank…

About 5 hours ago

RT @interfaithpower "This is all of our country, this is our mother. It's difficult to not feel obligated to protect this land" - @DebHaalandNM with a powerful reminder of what she believes in. Her passion is exactly what we need right now; the Senate must #ConfirmHaaland! #ConfirmClimate

About 5 hours ago

RT @EPA EPA is proud to join our agency partners as we tackle the climate crisis and build a healthier, cleaner, more equitable future for all. Let’s do this! whitehouse.gov/brief…

About 2 days ago

Follow @ncipl

Latest Tweets

Copyright © 2021 NC Council of Churches · All Rights Reserved · Website by Tomatillo Design · Hosted by WP Engine