gen·er·os·i·ty

gen·er·os·i·ty (jĕn´ə-rŏsʹĭ-tē) noun
plural gen·er·os·i·ties

1.     Liberality in giving or willingness to give: “Uncommon generosity causes neglect rather than ingratitude” (Héloise).

2.     Nobility of thought or behavior; magnanimity.

3.       Amplitude; abundance.

4.                 A generous act.  

 

I wrote a comment to a post by Travelr712 the other day trying to explain why I celebrate Christmas.  My response was hasty and inadequate.  I was in hurry to get out the door, but wanted very badly to leave a comment.  This is not to say that I want to take anything back, but rather give a more detailed explanation of my meaning.  If you don’t believe in God, or things spiritual you probably want to stop reading now.

 

I often think about the generosity of God.  I see it everyday in the actions of some of my fellow human beings.  We are all in the grace of God; all of us. Even those who choose not to believe.  God is more than a classical painting; more than the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel; more than we know or imagine.  We look like God and God looks like us and more, but I digress, God is in each of us.

 

How do we give thanks for the generosity of God that is expressed through us?  Some of us choose to do good works through churches.  Some of us choose to do it through our careers.  However you choose to do it give thanks to God or to the person for whom you are doing a thing .  By doing so you honor God, yourself and humanity.  

 

I want to be clear: by giving thanks to each other we give thanks to God.  How is that you ask?  Very simple God resides in us all by giving that thanks to each other we are giving it to God.  Never let anyone tell you that you don’t pray enough; that you’re not worthy enough; that you’re not holy enough to receive the grace of God. 

 

Christmas is a time to show your thanks to your fellow wo/man. By giving of yourself through the sharing of your time;  the giving of a small gift, or the helping someone less fortunate than yourself you honor God and humanity.  Mine is a theology of humanity.  I do believe very strongly that you cannot love God who you have not seen, but hate you sister or brother who you see everyday.  I know I’ve said that before and I’ll say it many more times to be sure.

 

Christmas, for me, is time for reflection and renewal.  It’s a time for me to look at the direction of my life and to renew my faith by recognizing all the good things done by humanity.  I have to tell you something.  I was on a retreat earlier this month.  Someone there made statement that I have never heard before.  They said, “If you hate all that is bad more than you love that which is good you’re nothing, but a good hater. I found that profound. You may or you may not see it this way and that’s fine too.  Peace and Long Life

 

Love Worf