It seemed carved in stone...

I love the Christmas stories and specials. Every year I delight in reading Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. It never gets old. What a beautiful illustration of reformation and renewal. Near the end of his visit with the Spirits Scrooge finds himself in a grave yard. The brushes away the snow and sees his own name carved in stone. He had profited by the lessons shown him that night, looking back at the choices he had made in his life and he pleads with the Ghost for those words to be erased. Nothing can seem so inevitable as something carved in stone. He has had an altered thought, a new way of seeing himself and his fellow man, and is resolved to live his life with love and generosity.  This will change the outcome. To his new way of thinking, until his name was carved in stone proclaiming his death, it would be possible to live a more spiritual life. It would be possible to right wrongs. There could be friendship and fellowship. He could become a better a man, a better master,. He not only had a reformation...he had a revelation of his true nature.
A few days ago many religions celebrated the Epiphany, the Three Kings visit to the Christ Child to honor him with gifts. A time to put our worship first and recognize the wonder of the Christ. We should seek every day epiphanies. New opportunities to express our true identity as God's beloved child, made in His image and likeness. Ways to practice the Golden Rule of showing love as we would have love shown to us.
God is Life, without beginning or end. Each of us are the reflection of that Life. Our name is written in heaven, not in material stone. When Scrooge realizes he has been given that chance he literally jumps for joy. He revels in his childlike happiness. We can do that too.
There is plenty of time today to uplift thought, to take a fresh look at our family and friends, to appreciate our co-workers, to support our church activities, to show tenderness.

God bless us, every one.