Christmas is quickly approaching, and for many people, its nothing more than a winter holiday where they get to open presents, drink eggnog and eat turkey, or watch the kids get into Santa and all of the presents and events around the holiday.
What often gets lost, or ignored, is the real message behind Christmas. Granted, there are many people who are not believers in the First Christmas story, including those of other religions and cultures but nonetheless, there is a valuable principle that can be accepted by all peoples, believers or not.
The message is one of peace, and it is a message that is still needed today, more than ever in some parts of the world, and in many of our homes and communities.
An old song from the 1950s goes, Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
This goes along with the proclamation by the angels on that first Christmas night, who told the shepherds, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards all men.
There are two parts to this proclamation, and the latter half is most quoted as it pertains to those on earth, for there to be peace and good will to everyone. (The line says men, but its a generic reference, as in all mankind.)
This was in relation to the birth of Jesus, whose messages included what is termed the Golden Rule, to treat everyone the way you wish to be treated yourself. He also taught us to love one another, and to pray for your enemy.
There were a great many other things that he spoke of, but these relate to the peace spoken of at his birth, and in a real sense brings it to the here and now of each person, each community, and each nation.
We need to live peacefully and to treat each other with respect, and to think of the needs of others ahead of our own. We dont have to get religious to live like this, its a matter of being kind and generous, and thinking of others.
The RAK movement is one example of how this can work in a practical way: random acts of kindness. Step out and do something nice for a neighbour or your family or your community, and see how people respond to that.
The basic principles behind this are far more meaningful than filling Christmas with Santa stories and getting more and more presents under the tree. What is important, really, is to give to others in a meaningful way.
... Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
More here:
Let there be peace on earth - Weyburn Review
- Versions of the Golden Rule in dozens of religions and other ... [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2016]
- Rockwell's "Golden Rule" - Norman Rockwell Museum [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Versions of the Golden Rule in dozens of religions and ... [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Golden Rule - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Golden Rule (fiscal policy) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Rockwell's "Golden Rule" - Norman Rockwell Museum [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Health insurance made simple | UnitedHealthOne [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- Health insurance made simple | UnitedHealthOne [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- The Golden Rule - harryhiker.com [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- What is the Golden Rule? - GotQuestions.org [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Golden Rule Plumbing Heating & Cooling [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Golden Rule: Treat People as You'd Like to Be Treated [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- What is the Golden Rule? (with pictures) - wiseGEEK [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- World Scripture - The Golden Rule - Unification [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Golden Rule: Treat People as You'd Like to Be Treated [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Golden Rule - New World Encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Golden rule (law) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- Golden Rule - Robinsons Brewery [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Live by the Golden Rule (pledge/petition/proclamation ... [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- The Golden Rule in World Religions - TeachingValues.com [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- 18 Practical Tips for Living the Golden Rule : zen habits [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Golden Rule Plumbing Heating & Cooling [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Health insurance helps you manage your health care costs ... [Last Updated On: June 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 29th, 2016]
- Upcoming Events Welcome the Golden Rule to Poulsbo ... [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2016]
- UCF Golden Rule UCF [Last Updated On: August 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 23rd, 2016]
- VFP Golden Rule Project | Advancing VFP Opposition to ... [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2016]
- Bible Verses About Golden Rule - King James Bible [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2016]
- Why Choose UnitedHealthcare? - uhone.com [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2016]
- Golden Rule Charter School [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2016]
- Golden Rule Chronology - Gensler's Home Page [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2016]
- The Golden Rule | Our Daily Bread [Last Updated On: November 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2016]
- Golden Rule Community CU [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Golden Rule - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Golden LivingCenter Golden Rule [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2016]
- The Golden Rule - Life, Hope & Truth [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2016]
- Transition Probabilities and Fermi's Golden Rule [Last Updated On: January 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 11th, 2017]
- Rockwell's "Golden Rule" - Norman Rockwell Museum - The Home ... [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2017]
- Golden calf - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2017]
- Matriarchy - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 21st, 2017]
- Opinion: No room for walls in Gospel's Golden Rule - The Catholic Register [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Rev. Jeff Bobin: The Golden Rule - GoErie.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- No Gods, No Masters: Live the Golden Rule - Dissident Voice [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Let the Golden Rule be our response locally and globally - Berkeley Independent [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Good neighbors and the Golden Rule - WiscNews [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Shock on The Voice UK as coaches break a golden rule of the show and meet rejected Blind Audition singer Ciara Harvie - Radio Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Following the golden rule in times of tumult - College Heights Herald [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- The Golden Rule of Business - Times-Citizen Communications [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- A Fool's Golden Rule - Word and Way - Word and Way [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- LETTER: Living by 'Golden Rule' would defeat ISIS - Daily Record - Daily Record [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- h3cz: The Golden Rule of Twitter - Dexerto [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Motivating Your Team: Why The Golden Rule Doesn't Always Apply - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Would golden rule survive if we were under siege? - Port Huron Times Herald [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Apply the Golden Rule to lift results - Business Management Daily [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- United Way to present Golden Rule-Lightkeepers, Fabric of our Community Awards - Jacksonville Daily News [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- 57th District It's the Golden rule: J. Central moves into 7th straight finals - The Independent [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- From mushroom picker to deputy sheriff: Herc Avello relishes golden rule - Daily Local News [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- The Golden Rule of Social Selling: Solve Your Customer's Problem - Business 2 Community [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Ron Forthofer: To live by the Golden Rule, we must recognize the 'others' - Longmont Times-Call [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Measuring life by the Golden Rule ... not a cellphone app - Bristol Herald Courier (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Apply the Golden Rule to immigrants - Statesman Journal [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Is the Golden Rule Still Alive and Well in America? - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Five golden rules to always be in profit when you invest in equities - Economic Times [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Engineering's Golden Rule - Sourceable [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Email and The Golden Rule - Memphis Daily News - Memphis Daily News [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Golden Rule of Chaplaincy: Thy Shoes Matter - Boston.com [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Career Corner: The Golden Rule - Journal Record (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Much to be gained from Golden Rule - Jackson Clarion Ledger [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- OPINION: If only our institutions practiced the Golden Rule - Cape Cod Times (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- OPINION: If only our institutions practiced the Golden Rule - Nantucket Island Inquirer [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- In the Neighborhood: A Meditation on the Golden Rule, Cheaters, and Prophets - Patheos (blog) [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- The Golden Rule: Not So Golden Anymore | Issue 74 ... [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- The Golden Rule | Our Daily Bread - odb.org [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- Prairie Talk: Picture books teach us all - Herald & Review [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- #3 Golden Rules for Entrepreneurs Starting Out Today - Entrepreneur [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- A bowl of water and the golden rule - West Plains Daily Quill [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Hawaii judge upholds America's 'Golden Rule' - CNN [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Letter: If all could only follow the Golden Rule - Olean Times Herald [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- 377A: Remember the golden rule in policymaking | TODAYonline - TODAYonline [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- The Candlery keeps working partners busy - Muskogee Daily Phoenix [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- Five golden rules to help solve your recycling dilemmas - The Conversation AU [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]