Season of Advent

Joseph, the nearly silent character in the nativity story has always help a passive interest for me. He is not flashy, he does not say much, he does not do much. He seems to be a pretty decent guy, going out of his way to protect the young woman to whom he was engaged from public disgrace. Honor here is very important, sometimes maintaining your family's honor is more important than stepping outside of the box, or even pursuing your own dreams. But dreams have a way of speaking to us. In Joseph's dream, an angel delivered a message from God, and Joseph followed these instructions.

 

I recently attended an event held by Kids 4 Peace Jerusalem. A leader from each of the three Abrahamic faiths said a few words about peace to bless and open the event. The Jewish leader, Rabbi Melchoir, spoke about the story of another dreaming Joseph (the Old Testament, or Torah, story), and pointed out how this Joseph learned to look outside of himself, to listen to other peoples' dreams, and to try to use God's gifts in order to change the future for the better. Next, Lutheran Pastor Ibrahim Azar spoke, and reminded us of God's message at the birth of Christ. When the angels appeared to the shepherds they announced: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace" (Luke 2:14).

 

God's message, through dreams, angelic visitations, whisperings of the Holy Spirit, and Christ himself, is that of peace. In order to glorify God, we ought to work towards the peace that God wants so badly for Creation. And there are people doing just that even here in the middle of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Youth and their families from Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faith traditions meet in the same room, sit side-by-side, laugh, talk, and embrace one another. The Kids 4 Peace event was awe-inspiring, especially while living in such a segregated and tension-filled place. The programs run by this organization are not enough to end the military occupation, to break through the oppression, or to end the conflict. But, Kids 4 Peace is one of many organizations which seek to listen to the messages of God sent in dreams of the other, to build relationships of love and compassion, and to change the future.

 

Joseph's part in the nativity is subtle and his action is in the background, but he listens to the message, follows the dream, and changes the future. Christ's peace be with us as we listen and look for what God is saying to us.

 

-Abby