The People who walked in darkness…

When dark alliances with dark ideologies strive to extinguish the light,

When evil allegiances with evil agendas convince that they are right,
When the hateful, hurtful and ruthless gain the world
When the greedy, powerful rule and prophets go unheard

     When the new norm all around means extreme gains for the few

     While the many and the vulnerable struggle just to make it through
     And the wars and rumors of wars are fought for profit solely
     As the blood of the young is poured out for what is most unholy

As inequities mount, and injustices flourish

And the hatreds of some are what now only gets nourished
When the powers that be strive only self to serve
And when millions receive shamefully what they do not deserve

    When the stench of the hatred and greed permeates

    So that the definition of aromatic they must re-create
    And our hearts, minds and spirits are left devastated and broken
    THEN the Words of Great Hope must most loudly be spoken

 

We are not quite there yet, but it is coming.
This will get very ugly for many and quite difficult for most.
To put our heads in the sand now will not help in any way.
To pretend that it won’t be so bad will not be helpful to anyone.
I recommend that you prepare yourself for the worst, because truly it will be close.
I recommend that you get ready to do what you need to do in order to endure this.
I recommend that you not be bogged down in indecision at a time like this.
Prepare.  Have a plan.  Determine yourself to do what you need to do now.

 

And know that there was a time before, long ago, when the people were
occupied by evil power and wealth, when their leaders were puppets to a great
empire and their religious leaders twisted the word to suit their own gains in
power, prestige, position and wealth, and remained silent in the face of the
horrible oppression, even added to it when it suited them.  People were treated
shamefully and justice was not the norm.  It became very ugly and hatefulness,
ruthless power and greed were the only things that really thrived in the world.

 

It was in THAT circumstance that Jesus was born.  The star shined in the darkness,
and an insignificant child was born into poverty in a barn and laid in a feeding trough
for animals.  All the heavens broke open with praise and announced to the night shift
of manual laborers that this was a gift for them, not kings or emperors, not the wealthy
or powerful, but them.  He would soon be made a political refugee in order that his life might
be saved from the oppressors who pursued to kill him.  He would also bring HOPE, because
“the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep
darkness on them light has shined.”  Isaiah 9:2