So let\u2019s name Lynchburg College as a community with some diversities of economic status, race, ethnicities, political views, sexual orientations\u2026thousands of other things\u2026 and of faith and non-faith traditions. We may do well with our diversity on some days and not as well on other days. We have different comfort levels with some communities than with others. Most of us struggle daily with the concept of \u201cus\u201d and \u201cthem\u201d regardless of which group we find ourselves among in any given discussion.<\/p>\n
When we get to December it becomes even more difficult. I helped get a new Christmas tree for Drysdale, and since we are at a church-related college Christmas is alright\u2026right? In my puritanical moments I think Christians \u201cshould\u201d focus on Advent all the way until Christmas Eve, and work harder to avoid the great altar of consumerism. Hanukkah starts December 16th so let\u2019s get a Menorah. Some are celebrating Kwanza this year on campus so shall we get a Kinara? Winter Solstice is coming too.<\/p>\n
From Politically Correct Holiday Stories<\/em>: We try to be politically correct and not offend anyone, but if we try to do it all we do none of it well. I have come to value the commitment to welcome, providing safe space for difference, and conversation about differences. We must all celebrate our own traditions with integrity or there is no reason to celebrate them, but we must also allow space to let others celebrate (or not celebrate) with integrity. I value dialogue and relationships since that is where the true faith is lived out and the real joy of life is found.<\/p>\n As many of you in our community have a bit slower schedule over the next few weeks, I encourage you to expand your knowledge of another tradition, of another friend\u2019s life and beliefs, or to make a new friend so that your life and our world become richer.<\/p>\n Christmas Blessings, may you know the Joy that I find in Christmas, see it in my life and trust another deeply enough to share your celebrations as well.<\/p>\n Blessings, Stephanie<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" So let\u2019s name Lynchburg College as a community with some diversities of economic status, race, ethnicities, political views, sexual orientations\u2026thousands of other things\u2026 and of faith and non-faith traditions. We may do well with our diversity on some days and …<\/p>\n
\n\u2018Twas the night before solstice and all through the co-op,
\nNot a creature was messing the calm status quo up.<\/em>
\nThe children were nestled all snug in their beds,
\nDreaming of lentils and warm whole-grain breads.<\/em>
\nWe\u2019d welcomed the winter that day after school,
\nby dancing and drumming and burning the Yule,<\/em>
\nA more meaningful gesture to honor the planet
\nThan buying more trinkets for Mom or Aunt Janet,<\/em>
\nOr choosing a tree just to murder and stump it
\nAnd dress it all up like a seasonal strumpet.<\/em><\/p>\n