“So, this is Christmas, and what have you done? Another year over, and a new one just begun.”

These are the words of a favorite Christmas song written by John Lennon. People have told me that it is one pessimistic Christmas song, or it is just a song about the end of the Vietnam War, or they dismiss it by saying an atheist wrote it. To me, that does not matter; there is a good message to this song, and an important truth that applies to us.

What have we done this year? Have we tried to make the world a better place, or have we sat comfortably in our homes and tried to ignore what is going on in the world? Trust me, it is tempting to do the latter. With all that is going on in the world, in politics, wars, terrorism, natural disasters, crime, shootings -the list is endless- it is so easy to take the easy way out and keep our lives busy to tune out the world. Yet I'm reminded of the expression, WWJD “What Would Jesus Do?” Where would Jesus be in our world today? What would He be doing? He certainly would not be sitting comfortably at home; he would be going out into the world, trying to do something and encouraging others to do the same. When we look at the world with all the evil and suffering going on, it seems like an impossible task, but I remember the words of Edward Everett Hale, “ I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

We can't heal the whole world, but we can start by working in our homes, our neighborhoods, our churches, and the town where we live. We keep our eyes and ears open to those around us. Are there people who need help? Can we do something for them? Remember in Matthew 5:15-17 it says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do you light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

In these times, we need to be God's light to those around us. We can start by smiling and being pleasant to those around us, whether we are shopping, driving, working, or at home. We need to let God's light shine through us to those around us and help those we see who are in need. This is how we begin to heal the world. Considering the state of the world, it may seem impossible, but we are commanded by Jesus to go out into the world and make disciples, to help those around us, to feed the poor, care for the sick, welcome the stranger, and visit those in prison.

Rob Reiner said this: “Ultimately, all you can do is fix yourself. And that's a lot. Because if you can fix yourself, it has a ripple effect." With God's help, we fix ourselves, and then we can all work together, we can begin to help those around us, and begin to fix the world. Just imagine what we could all do together! “So, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, let's hope it's a good one, without any fear. “ No, let's not hope, let's make it a good one, without any fear.

Bill R.