From the Chaplains

If everything is included at Christmas is Hate included?  

I know that this question seems an odd one to end the year with, but it was a lovely curly question that I was asked by some students as they left Middle School Chapel on Friday.  

And it got me thinking.  

So, thank you to the students that asked. I love a good challenging question. 

To explain, during the Chapel service, I had invited Middle School to think about all the things that were included as a vital part of bringing Jesus into the world on that first Christmas. My intention was to show that if we want to be part of bringing the Love, Hope, Peace and Joy of Jesus into the world today, we need to include the same things. 

Because, the interesting things is that when we look closely at the Christmas story as told in the scriptures we discover that everything was included on that first Christmas. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. At the first Christmas people from all cultures were included as were people from all socio- economic situations. There were those who were very poor and those who were very wealthy. There were people of all ages and genders, and those from different faiths.  

The first Christmas also included animals of many different species, as well as the created world itself. Remember the star that moved across the sky as well as different places from which the various people and animals travelled.  

Most of these people included are remembered as kind and friendly. But not all. This is where the question I was asked came from ecause in my reflection I said that even Herod was included. Herod was a cruel leader, and his intention in finding Jesus was to kill him. Hence the question by the students. If everything is included at Christmas, is hate included? 

The answer here of course is definitively NO. 

Everything was included, but not all behaviours were. Why? Well simply because some behaviours, or mindsets if you like, prevent us from being part of bringing God’s Hope, Peace, Love and Joy into the world, and hate is one of those. Hate is the opposite of all of these things. 

Herod was there at the first Christmas. He had the opportunity to be part of the bringing of God’s hope, peace, joy and love into the world, but his actions were contrary to the love that we know as Jesus. And this meant that though he was included on that first Christmas he was prevented, by the Magi or wise people, from being at the centre of the story, with Jesus, because they realised that his intention was not as it should be been. Herod was included, but he was not part of bringing the hope peace, joy and love of Jesus into the world. He could have choose to be a different path, but he didn’t. 

Herod choose injustice over love, and deception over hope. Herod choose power over peace, and oppression over joy.  

Why am I telling you all of this at Christmas? Well, I want you to think about who you will include in your story next year. And I really do want you to include everyone and all things that you possibly can, particularly our vulnerable and hurting planet. I even want you to include people you would prefer not to include, or don’t want to because they are different from you, or you don’t think you will get along. Give them a chance to be hope, peace, joy and love in your life, and you might get a wonderful surprise. This is your part in bringing Hope, Peace, Joy and Love into the world. 

But if it doesn’t work, that is ok. You have done your part. We don’t have to accept certain behaviours or mindsets if they are contrary to God’s love. Instead we can, like the Magi or Wise people, work together to challenge them in ways that are gentle and respectful, taking a different path if you like for ourselves. Ultimately, like those at the first Christmas, our part is to include everyone and then to work together to keep hope, peace joy and love that Jesus is at the centre. This is how, together, we all bring this Jesus into the world every day. 

Have a wonderful Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year 

Rev. Danielle Hemsworth-Smith 

College Chaplain