Dear Friends of the Ohio Council of Churches:

 

As the clock winds towards the close of this calendar year, I want to take this moment on behalf of the Council Staff and Governing Board, to wish you and yours a blessed holiday season.

 

What a joy it is that on December 25, two of the Abrahamic traditions will observe a day whose central theme centers on God and light. Christians will be observing the birth of the One who is called the Light of the World and Jews will begin the 8-day observance of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights.

 

The book of Genesis informs us that the first words God spoke in creation was, “Let there be light!”

 

The Gospel of John tells us: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.”

 

During this season I encourage you to embrace that which we share in common and continue to allow your light to shine.

 

One of the things the Council does on a continual basis is advocate for the elimination of the death penalty in America. We received news that President Biden has commuted the death sentences of 37 out of 40 federal prisoners!! We would have loved if he commuted all of them, but we express our thanks to President Biden for doing this. We will continue in the new year to advocate for the end to the death penalty in Ohio and the nation.

 

Lastly, I want to share this with you. It is the Christmas version of 1 Corinthians 13. May it bless you and your loved ones!

 

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, Carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

 

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, and golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

 

With love, joy, and peace,

Rev. Dr. Amariah McIntosh

Associate Director