A Meditation: Not In Our Town!
The Rev Richard F Burdon, retired
12/25/05

I set my radio for the classical station for much the past week. The Antiphons that we read come from the Old Testament writings of Isaiah. Isaiah’s hope for a Messiah to lead the faithful in their quest for Peace is seen in a new LIGHT with the birth of Jesus, the Christ. During the week I have listened to the Christmas selections from Handel’s magnificent Messiah. The Christmas music has a timeless impact--for faithful pilgrims have for centuries been inspired by the stories of our faith. They have recorded their thoughts in verse and writings. Composers from around the earth have set the words to music. These Old Testament writings come from our Jewish background one foundation of our Christian tradition.

I enjoy the quiet, tender introspective mood that comes from many of the classical writers. I also love the festive atmosphere which breaks forth during the Advent season. Even people who seem not interested in church stuff for most of the time -- are suddenly caught up in the excitement of decorating and giving and receiving gifts.

I had the privilege of attending two Chorus concerts this year! One was the Heartland [Gay] Men’s Chorus in Kansas City. The first part of the concert featured the serious, more traditional type of musical selections. But the second half was, I guess you might classify as outrageous! At least it was far from a traditional portrayal of the Manger Scene--far from it. It featured a very tall man dressed as Aunt Annie who was reluctant to tell her life story. A portly man cast as the “Sugar Plum Fairy� flounced across the stage in a bright lavender suit, a purple boa and deep purple derby. I burst into laughter at each little part of the skit -- skilled dancers and singers produced “quite a performance.� Sometimes laughter allows us to depart from the sublime to the ridiculous and can help us break through the crusty events in our lives. That exercise can often help us refocus our thoughts and free us to “laugh� and move beyond things that seem insurmountable.

The second Concert was the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus. Again there was a mix of the serious, joyous, and ridiculous. I have come to look forward each year for these events to help me move beyond the ordinary responsibilities of life when it gets me in a rut. Then I turn my attention to preparing for the season. I look forward to getting cards and letters from friends that I only write to once a year at Christmas.

One of the chorus members gave a reading entitled, “Not In Our Town�. It was a story is based on a true incident in Billings, Montana. A Jewish family residing in Billings received anonymous threats of harm because they displayed the Menorah in their window. But their religious observance would have been incomplete without demonstrating that sign of their faith--they left it in the window. During the night the family’s home was attacked by someone throwing a building block that shattered the window where their little boy was sleeping.

As people of faith in Billings heard of the incident they recognized this outrageous event was wrong. In response people throughout the city cut out paper replicas of the Menorah and displayed them in their windows. This violent attack by someone trying to say you are not welcome IN OUR TOWN against a legitimate neighbor ignited a peaceful reply from the townspeople that said we will not tolerate bias IN OUR TOWN.

There are times when we as neighbors join in opposition to the intrusion of undesirable businesses or facilities in our neighborhood--to say NOT IN OUR TOWN. There are good reasons for people to raise red flags to fend off unscrupulous enterprises. And say NOT IN OUR TOWN!

I read in the paper just yesterday about a man here in Portland who died suddenly of a pulmonary problem. He was the father of 5 children. He earned a meager living where he worked in a neighborhood bar. He had no health or life insurance. As his neighborhood heard of the family’s plight they gave of their meager means to help this man’s family. The neighbors and friends have reached out with their generosity to say we will help as much as we can IN OUR TOWN.

The Gospel lesson teaches us that the Christ Event gives us an opportunity to see events in our lives in a new light. We do not want misunderstandings to prevail IN OUR TOWN - as people of faith, together we can proclaim all people are welcome to reside in Peace IN OUR TOWN.

The Rev Richard F Burdon, retired

A Communion Dismissal:

We have prayed: “Give us this day our daily bread.� Grant us the spirit of sharing with others in their need. We remember with gratitude that God inspires us weigh our actions in light of the Gospel of Jesus our Christ.

Arise and go in Peace and be thankful. Amen.

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