It seems appropriate somehow that Human Rights Day falls during Advent.

“…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 2021 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.” 

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 how Christ 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 & 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