Great Nations Have Fallen Over Less; America's Crisis of Negativity

While grumbling, fault-finding, and name calling are so commonplace, it seems like good words, well wishes and blessings are in short supply. We are starved for an unceasing, free-flowing benediction from the mouths of every religious leader, governmental representative, media personality, teacher, and employer. In fact, each and every one of us needs to stop the malediction (Latin; evil speaking) once and for all. It poses a real threat to the future and well-being of our world.

I remember being a boy at First Presbyterian Church in Danville, Illinois struggling through sermons, anticipating the Charge and Benediction. I was thinking more about the cavalry charge from a western movie than a mission call from the alter. When the benediction blessing came saying; "May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" to me it meant we were set free. Charge! My mother could hardly restrain me as my suit jacket ripped off in mid-flight to the car. There was still time to play a game of kick the can when we got home. Then it was off to my grandparents for Sunday dinner.

We can bring a message of hope and joy where we might have inflicted damage and beaten others down in the past.

My childhood memory, if somewhat irreverent, holds authenticity about benediction. There should be joy and even some exuberance with every good word we utter. And if we care about what's going to happen in these troubled times, spreading good words must become a top priority. The old people used to tell us 'If you can't say something good about someone, don't say anything at all.' True benediction takes that adage a step further. It incorporates the old Presbyterian mission charge by challenging us to bless each other continuously. There is no room left for negativity. We just can't afford it anymore.

The Good Word; our power to surprise and delight

“He was conscious of a thousand odors floating in the air, each oneconnected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and cares, long, long,forgotten.” ~ Charles Dickens

According to the writer of St. Luke's gospel, an angel appears to shepherds at night and said “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people.”  It is difficult to imagine the awe and happiness that they must have experienced.  A Good Word suddenly dispelled the darkness of night with the light of hope.

Every year without fail, I watch the 1951 Alastair Sim version of Scrooge, A Christmas Carol.

I imagine that the shepherds must have had the same dumbfounded expression on their faces that Bob Cratchit had when his boss, Scrooge the miser, gave him a raise and told him that life was going to be different from that day forward.  What an incredible privilege it is to bring good tidings, to speak well and to carry a message of hope! The changes that such communication brings to the lives of those who receive it are instant and have a lasting impact. And almost everyone will receive it.

Most of us are hungry for good tidings, good news and hope. When we hear it our spirits are lifted, we rise from the funk and the day takes on a glow of possibilities. It is hard to be dragged down after heeding a message of joy.  The great change is evidenced in the words of Charles Dickens in the closing of A Christmas Carol when he states "He (Scrooge) became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world."

We all have the opportunity to bring good tidings and spread them wherever we go to whomever we meet. It is just as easy as carrying a downcast, forlorn, morose and melancholy demeanor. We can surprise and delight people with a different message. 

We can make the astonishing offer of Scrooge when he says, "I'll raise your salary, and endeavor to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop, Bob."  Now is the time to make the change. What is your good word? Are you bringing hope or discouragement? What do you have to add to the positive flow of life? What personal benediction do you have for your fellow human beings? Find the answer and carry the message!

It is Christmas time. Life is good. By the way, it is always good...and always has been!