Advent 2 : Peace to the Earth

Jan concluded her reflection this week with these words:
“We each need to find our way to live in harmony with the earth.  Although I have been seriously tempted to do so, I don’t want to just opt out of Christmas celebrations altogether and say “I don’t do Christmas Consumerism!” I live in relationship with a diverse society of people as well as in relationship with the planet.  Each year I try and make things; cook or sew, but that can become stressful which is not what I want to do during advent. I’ve decided if i buy presents it will be organic consumerables.  And we can make this a time to give to a charity.  Another approach is to focus on experiences.  Do a picnic and enjoy a local carol service.   As a community we can have a role here; we can offer an alternative to plastic and waste.  We can promote our alternative Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services in the surrounds of the birds and trees of CERES.”

Following the reflections offered by Jan and Stella, we were all invited to think about the gift we might give to the Earth as we placed stones in the river of fabric encircling our communion table.  People expressed commitments to do something towards combating climate change. Among these were hopes of  writing to local members of parliament and other politicians, attending protest rallies over the summer, adding name to petition against fracking in Gippsland, turning  lights off when not in rooms, refusing to buy things in plastic, recycling more, supporting small local retailers instead of large multinational supermarkets and chains, leaving the car home at home and  walking or cycling more often, and buying (and consuming) more organic fair trade chocolate.

It is a good question: how might we contribute to giving peace to the earth? And one I want to go on exploring. What about you? What present will you be giving the earth this year?