Planing kindness

 Luke 3:7-18

The call in the wilderness is... See, its so easy to hear the condemnation. We more easily hear negativity says Google than absorb the positive. Our brains are hardwired that way. So listen closely and hear the words of John.

"Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." The good news is about sharing kindness. It trickles down into what the tax collectors must do and what the Roman soldiers must do. Be kinder.

In a world full of hurt and being right or cutting off kindness is a vulnerability that is hard. It is a must in spreading the good news. This time of year reminds us of all this. Each day we must equip ourselves to spread these simple, loving truths.

We light the candle of hope. Our hope comes in the form of a baby, who we would not treat badly because it is hungry or they are wet, or they are in a bad mood. Instead we would hold them, comfort them, reach out a hand to give them a hope that they will be fed, they will be dry, and we are there when they can't understand discomfort. Why do we think this is different for grown ups. We all need this nurture.

We light the candle of joy. When all is joyless. When it is hard to see it planting joy is most important. Rejoice, we say today. Rejoicing can bring us joy. Singing joy to the world. Sitting in the silence in the dark can bring joy. We can more easily plant the light when we sit and befriend our darkness, this is what Taizé prayer is about. Being drawn in to sit and make friends with it so we can see and plant the light in a world which doesn't see much joy. 

Think of how contagious joy is. When someone is full of joy it rubs off on you. It makes you lighter and the dark days don't seem so hard or full.

Today we light the candle of peace. Kind acts bring about peace. They remind us that there are those out there who want to see the goodness spread. Isn't this what we are building toward in this season of Advent? Everything we are about is to remind us of the goodness of God in sending Jesus to draw near us. So everything we are about is to make note of this to others. 

Sharing a meal and breaking bread with others does this. Sharing change or covering another's bill in line cause they are short, does this. Sharing out of our own abundance of things does this for those who don't have even the simplest of gifts. 

Think of it as a Dr. Seuss story in "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." The Who's in Whoville don't cry because all their things are taken from them. Instead they gather round a naked tree and sing. In that one act, singing together, they cause a heart to grow and joy spread. So it should be with us.

So how do we equip ourselves to spread this good news? Notice the good. Find the kind ones out there. Sing with joy. All these things help us to change our brains pattern in only seeing the negative. Accent the positive and see the kingdom of God grow near. Near in our hearts and those around us.