Gathering Fragments

Christmas at the Capitol December 20, 2011

Recently I gave the invocation at the tree-lighting ceremony at the Nebraska State Capitol:

O Thou Eternal and Holy,
O Thou Compassion and Mercy,
O Thou Unnameable,|
O Thou …

We are people descended from many nations, people of many traditions, many cultures, people of many faiths … and no faith.  We have come together in the holy season of one faith to celebrate.  Amid the dark and chill of winter may the light of this season warm our spirits.

Illuminate our community, that we may recognize one another as members together of one human family.  Increase among us a spirit of generosity and compassion, a spirit of wisdom and understanding.  Help us grow in understanding and live in harmony, so from life’s first cry to final breath we may build a place where every woman, man and child may know the wonder, beauty, goodness and fullness you intend.

Be in our midst this day that the music may lift our souls, the words inspire our hearts and the beauty of this place remind us of the multi-colored mosaic in which we live.  May light fill this place and our community.  May joy surround all its people.  May justice and compassion and peace mark all our doings.  May hope become reality, and may love be the sign.    Amen.

After the ceremony I was approached by a concerned woman:  “You didn’t say anything about Christmas!”  Replied I, “I asked God to bless us with the qualities we focus on at Christmas.”  “But you didn’t say the word Christmas!”

She’s right: I did not say “Christmas.”  I was praying at a public event sponsored by a private, non-religious, non-profit organization, hosted by the Governor and First Lady.  I expected people to be there who would have different beliefs and varying understandings of the meaning of Christmas and its religious significance.  When I am preaching, praying or teaching at my church, I will urge people to live faithfully, following the teachings of Christ.  If people have come to an event to hear me because I am a Christian minister, then I will advocate for my faith.  But I chose not to  use the  platform of this event to impose my personal beliefs on or evangelize a captive audience.  If that puts me in some supposed “war on Christmas,” so be it.