It seems unlikely

We are entering a season of unlikelys. For those who believe in the Jesus story of Christmas, an unlikely teenage girl had an unlikely visitor who told her of an unlikely happening. Hanukkah marks the story of the unlikely eight days of candlelight with only a one-day supply. Finally, how likely is it that one saint can circumnavigate the globe and find every home where there is a child?

All of this we anticipate after two other recent unlikelys. A City in desperate need of good news and camaraderie celebrated a so long wished for unlikely ending of a 108 year old curse. A disturbing, tiring and unlikely election has highlighted the multitude of divisions and differences in our country instead of asking us to look for what we have in common.

It is unlikely that the complex problems we face today on every front will have easy solutions. Many children will spend this Christmas in poverty, in refugee camps, in fear. Many families will continue to scramble to make ends meet even as they light their menorah. Letters that plead for unlikely presents will be sent to Santa. Think of any area of your own life or our society, and I'll bet you would be able to complete the sentence, "It seems unlikely that..."

But, we will sing the familiar tunes, give and receive gifts and hugs, drop a dollar in a red kettle, wear red and green and blue. We will take comfort in the familiar as we listen to the unlikely stories of this season. We will recognize that the unlikely girl did not balk at the unlikely story and responded in the affirmative. We will honor the rededication of the temple with a festival of lights. We will celebrate a saint who has morphed into someone who represents a spirit of giving. 

Miracles, all. 

Let's look for the unlikely in our own lives this coming month. And, let's be someone else's unlikely small miracle. Whether it's shoveling snow off a neighbor's sidewalk, sending a note to someone who is homebound or building a bridge to an estranged family member, each small gesture contributes toward the unlikely day when the lion will lie down with the lamb. It seems unlikely, but I believe that can happen.

Marilyn