It seems appropriate somehow that Human Rights Day falls during Advent. Over the years I’ve posted a Human Rights Day blog on December 10th not connecting it to Advent, but this year it dawned on me they go hand in hand.
“…And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
Human Rights Day 2020 commemorates the establishment of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 when a war weary world said, “Never again!” The basic premise of the Declaration is that human rights are for all people – not just some.
Just like the love of God is for ALL people, not just some.
The Declaration of Human Rights proclaims “the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being — regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”
(You can click here – UN.ORG/EN/UDHRBOOK – to read a really cool illustrated version of the Declaration on the U.N. website.)
We often think of the lack of human rights in faraway places, but there are many issues to consider close to home. Life is a gift, but for many crushed by injustice, inequality, and lack of access to basic rights, it’s a struggle to survive.
In this season of Advent look around and think about Who came as Love Incarnate into a war weary world 2,000+ years ago. The world needed the love of Jesus then, just as our whacked out world needs even more of His love now. Infused with His love, Jesus calls us today to be salt, light, and peacemakers…
“Keep your eyes on the Prince of Peace, the One Who doesn’t cling to His divine power; the One Who refuses to turn stones into bread and rule with great power… the One Who touches the lame, the crippled, and the blind, the One Who speaks words of forgiveness and encouragement… Keep your eyes on Him Who becomes poor with the poor, weak with the weak. He is the source of all peace.” Henri Nouwen
grace, peace & busy peacemakers
Virginia : )
“…is this not the fast that I choose: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6
Roses in the Rubble 
V! Happy Advent! I enjoyed the illustrated version. I was disappointed to see that the universal right to bake good stuff like cream scones, White Lily biscuits, orange marmalade cake, Alice Medrich Best Cocoa Brownies, etc. was left out. [Granted, it seems like a pretty specific ‘universal right…]
Anyway, you go, Advent Girl!
T.
LoL, Tim! I also liked the illustrations this go round. We must lobby for next year’s Human Rights Day to include all those goodies. I stocked up on White Lily to make Cheese-Applesauce biscuits for Christmas. Those Cocoa Brownies sound delish! Big Advent hugs- our “Advent-ure” is almost up! 💜✨🎄✨💜
It was Human Rights Day and yet,there are still such ugly happenings around.
Too much horror still fills our world, Arlene – here’s to the Light of Love spreading human rights for all! ✨💜✨
Just the other day, a police had an altercation on the rights of way with his neighbor, in their heated argument, he shot the mom and the son. I don’t know why the president here allows police to carry their guns when they are off duty. It was one of his policies because he protects them.
That sounds horrible Arlene!! 😡
It is, they have that sense of impunity brought about by the protection promised by their president. Really so annoying and horrible.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” (MLK, Jr.) Pray God for hearts and attitudes to change! ✨🙏✨🌍✨