"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, so that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover them with favor as with a shield" (Psalm 5:11-12, NRSV).
Our Muslim friends just celebrated Id al-Adha on Nov. 28. Our Jewish friends will be celebrating the First Night of Hanukkah on Dec. 11. Our Christian friends will be celebrating Jesus' birth on Dec. 25. Our African-American friends will be celebrating the First Day of Kwanzaa on Dec. 26. Our Orthodox Christian friends will be celebrating Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 7 of the new year. We are truly in a time of rejoicing for so many different reasons in so many different faith traditions. I believe that there is a great lesson in all this that God is trying to teach us.
Why can't we see that we are all children of God? Why can't we find the wonder and joy in the rainbow of traditions that God has handed down to us over the centuries? Why can't we respect each other's faith and try to see a different side of our creator's character in each different religion and denomination?
Martin Luther made the following statement when he was defending his 95 Theses in his 1517 Disputation: "There are many paths leading to God." When I first encountered that quote as an undergraduate at Salem State College in the late 1970s, it opened the eyes of my mind to see the priceless value in all different faiths. Why would God limit him/herself to only one way for his/her children in which to be in communion with their creator? Now I know that some of you reading this may be put off by my perspective. Please understand that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ who is also interfaith and ecumenical in my theological views. I believe that God speaks to humanity at the core of all faiths. The world has been struggling with religious differences to the point of bloodshed down through the millennia. I believe that today's War on Terrorism has at its roots this same religious intolerance and prejudice. In my opinion, those who claim to be the only ones with God's favor are like immature children arguing with one another about who Daddy or Mommy loves most. After all, even Jesus' disciples argued about who was his favorite! How about the concept that God loves us all — equally? Sometimes I think that we all need to grow up — in many ways, especially theologically! But then, I digress ... .
The point I'm trying to make with my rambling on is that I hope that this season we can all find common ground as we celebrate our diverse holidays and religious observances. I hope that we can all rejoice in our various traditions and know that when we are faithful to what we believe, we make God's heart glad. After all, God has enough grief to bear. Wouldn't it be nice to give God a great holiday gift of love and peace? How about it, my sisters and brothers? Let's all try to truly rejoice in our different, wonderful and unique holidays!
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The Rev. Robert M.J. Hagopian is minister of the First Congregational Church of Rowley, United Church of Christ and also serves as the chaplain of the Rowley fire and police departments.
