Coming Up to Christmas

COMING UP TO CHRISTMAS

Some of our family went to last weekend’s Meredith Music Festival.

They described how one wonderful song was completed just in time so they could all go to the top of the nearby hill and watch the sunset.

Their delight was vivid as they described how everyone clapped with those last rays and as the evening light then coloured the clouds.

The feeling of transcendence and of unity was still in their faces as they shared this moment of at-one-ment ,as given by the arts and amidst creation’s beauty. Out there at Meredith,between Geelong and Ballarat.

Our son, describing this, has recently helped Grade 3 students at the local Primary School put to music a song the kids all wrote about belonging together and making sure no one feels excluded.

It’s called ‘Kindness is Key’ and is now on Youtube:

 

 

These youngsters are growing up in a safe place with a clear view of how their words and deeds can contribute to what adults call ‘social cohesion’.

It’s the time of year when moments like this lift our spirits.

As grandparents, our week has included cup cakes at kinder and watching the joy as, with a flick of the switch, the lights on the Christmas tree begin to twinkle.

The contrast for kids in war zones is painfully obvious.

Being around little children who are much loved and who live in a safe place, also constantly reminds one of how vulnerable we humans are to hurt feelings of rejection and of non-belonging … How much we need to feel we are safely loved … every day!

We learn to live with our vulnerability and we acquire our defences, but this vulnerability is never far from the surface.

It’s enough in itself to mention this as we glimpse, amidst many Santas and Reindeers, Mary and Joseph reaching Bethlehem in time for the birth of Jesus in a manger. That is, amidst ‘angels from the realms of glory’ and shepherds watching their flocks by night and Magi on camels, following that star, ‘bearing their gifts’.
But this ‘coming up to Christmas’ in 2024 also has the local shadow of the apparent act of terrorism at the Adass Israel Synagogue.

On Tuesday evening, coordinated by Vivienne Nguyen – Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission – along with several faith leaders gathered at the Adass Israel Synagogue as a further gesture of friendship and support.

 

I arrived early and was able to lay my flowers with Federal MP Hon. Clare O’Neill, also outside the Synagogue and showing her concern. I was able to thank her for the crucial initiative she took in July, when Minister of Home Affairs, as regards nurturing our democracy. Strengthening Democracy is a prescient initiative, it seemed, as we stood talking in that location.

 

The importance of a healthy, safe and flourishing Australian democracy was underscored in the reflections we faith leaders then shared.

As one Jewish leader said, while the focus today is on the safety of Jewish people, it is really about what shape our Australia now takes.

This sentiment was reinforced by a Muslim leader who spoke of how she came here from another country, drawn by the safety Australia promised and seemed to embody.

I reinforced some thoughts shared earlier with Jewish and Muslim friends.

I have just added this about Martin Buber, famous for his work on dialogue in his book on ‘I and Thou’. When he died in 1965 it was said that because Martin Buber lived there is more love in the world than there would have been without him.

Coming up to Christmas, amidst much that is wonderful but with concern about our future, one prays that our love is enough to make for a sustainable peace.