As this holy season in so many faith traditions comes to a close, this is always a time to take stock and embrace the lessons that can be taken from this season with us into the New Year.
On December 24, 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered the message at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, on what would be his last Christmas Eve. The message was titled, “A Christmas Sermon on Peace”. More than 50 years later, I reiterate some of that powerful lesson.
During what is known as a holy season of light in many faith traditions, and as Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of the most famous poor baby in the world, I often reflect on a passage from the Gospel of Matthew that comes long after the Christmas story.
On November 28, the family of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter held a beautiful memorial service for her at the Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University. Mrs. Carter’s friends, family, and pastor all emphasized her lifetime of service to others, including her longtime leadership as a mental health advocate.
For many years I always cooked Thanksgiving dinner for our whole family and for friends away from their homes. Before our meal, children read various inspirational passages and this beautiful prayer by great Black theologian Howard Thurman, A Litany of Thanksgiving.