Devon Dick

Next week Tuesday, most Jamaicans will be pre-occupied with this thought about God as we celebrate another Christmas Day. This most important Christmas festival reminds the world that God became flesh and dwelled among humankind.

God becoming human reminds us of the famous story of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37 - one of the best-known stories in Ezekiel denoting that nothing is impossible for God. The bones scattered upon the plain symbolised the whole house of Israel. They were experiencing exile. Dry bones meant that their dreams, visions, hopes and glory were shattered. It is in that context that God, who knows best, states, "I will put my breath into you and you shall live". The Holy Spirit who was active in the Old Testament can bring new life. As we are faced with the escalating murder rate and remember the dry bones of our loved ones, it is good to recall that Ezekiel witnessed the activity of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit that energised the prophet. The Holy Spirit will not override our being and personality, but comes alongside us to help us through this life.

Power of the Holy Spirit

This Spirit resurrects the dead. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was raised from the dead. So Job's question is also answered, 'If a man dies will he live again? (Job 14: 14). It is the same Holy Spirit that will resurrect our loved ones who have died and gives us hope in the future.

So what seems as impossible is possible with God. The very idea and concept of God means that it is probable that God can be trans-formed into human life. He who made humans in the first place and brought into being the creation by his word can become human.

I remember visiting the Institute of Jamaica's exhibition on the Indians and learned that they have the concept of a Trinitarian God and also of God becoming human. Rastology also has that concept. That there are many belief systems with similar beliefs does not detract from the Christian faith. God was revealing the attribute and ability to become human.

Since God has become human it means that every Jamaican and every life is special, sacred and sacrosanct. In addition, every human being has the potential to be part of the solution to the problems facing us. Every Jamaican has the potential to grasp the opportunities for betterment. There are also some practical things we can do. I share with you five things as suggested by Rev. Karl Henlin, president of the Jamaica Baptist Union, in a circular letter to the approximately 300 Baptist congregations in Jamaica.

He said: "Spend time together in seasons of prayer and fasting as we keep calling upon God to show us the way to heal our land and deliver us.

Special attention

Ensure that we pay special attention to the bereaved and to the traumatised.

Offer counsel and assistance to the persons who are poor and neglected, especially to the young and elderly.

Pay attention to our own security during this festive season.

Encourage our members to enlist in community efforts that are concerned with the protection of the communities and country."

God can become human and did become human as revealed in Jesus Christ and in that reality we have hope.

Merry Christmas to all my readers.