ANOTHER Christmas with all the hype and commercialism it brings these days has just been celebrated.

The Christian messages of love, generosity, hope, joy, gratitude, peace and goodwill to all mankind have again been heard in many places throughout the world.

Prior to Christmas Eve two letters/poems appeared in The Herald playing on the song, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas”.

The first, “Dreaming of a green Christmas”, contained positive Christmas reminders and promoted equality and peace. It also warned about excessive consumption, obscene economics and environmental degradation.

The second, “A black Christmas if ’twere Green”, lacked any Christmas message at all. It was an attack on left-wing thinking and contained political putdowns with a tirade of name-calling.

My response missed the Christmas deadline, I include my first and last verses here:

I’m dreaming of a loving Christmas

Much like the ones I used to know.

Where forgiveness was the fashion

and peace-making was not on ration

A bounty of kind intentions white as snow.

I’m dreaming of a hopeful Christmas

Lots of love, joy, peace and hope again in sight

Striving together to safeguard Earth’s future

To make all our coming Christmases all right

Let’s remember that Christmas represents the birth of Jesus Christ, who did some great things. He was an activist for change, and acted against the same negative human behaviour traits infecting society today. He abhorred bullying, greed, money-worship, envy, injustice, intolerance. He preached equality, honesty, generosity, peace, love and kindness to all.

His activism was far too radical for the authorities of the day. Consequently, with the approval of his own people, he was put to death in the most horrible fashion.

Today’s Christians believe Jesus Christ was and is the saviour of humanity. Followers throughout the world preach that we should all follow his example.

Two thousand years later now in the 21st century the very same immoral, destructive human behaviour and practices still continue, only much worse.

Greed, selfish money worshipping, massive consumption, vanishing resources, toxic waste, inhumanity and war-making are leading humanity to the brink of survivability.

Collectively we need to save ourselves and the world by embracing those basic principles Jesus died for. Whatever is stopping us?

Lately my calls for action have been netting more feedback, both verbally and written. Some are advising me to give up the ghost, and others are geeing me on. Good result either way.

From last week:

1. Bob, it’s not up to us. We are only human and without God we are doomed.

2. Climate change meetings are just a smoke screen.

I say it is up to us. I believe humans have free will. We behave badly of our own choice, not through the will of God.

To the argument that there’s only one will, God’s will, does not ring true to me.

Why would he encourage us to destroy each other and the world we live on, His creation?

I say we should follow Jesus Christ’s example and become active by changing our ways, to save ourselves and safeguard Earth’s future.

I do not doubt that climate change is our greatest challenge. Climate summits are indeed necessary.

Printed on this year’s volunteer award ceremony certificates that the Mayor handed out recently was: Ma tini, ma mano, ka rapa te whai — By many, by thousands, the work will be accomplished.

At church on Sunday we prayed for the broken and torn fabric of the Earth that needs healing.

So let us get started and begin that healing process by each being kinder to each other and our planet. What do you think?

With God’s help I pray.

Shared with you by Bob Hughes