All the Good in Our World

by Dan Beirne, Urban Acacia

I cannot think of many other circumstances in our world today in which you can approach a stranger’s home, ring their doorbell, and coax them to come outside in the cold with bright smiles and free cookies. Our annual Christmas caroling event last night was one of the more festive Christmas events I’ve ever experienced -- seriously -- and it was such a joy to see the warm and gracious response of our neighbors in Logan Square.There were about 18 ½ of us (little Zoe of two and a half years of age even played her part), and we began at St. Luke’s to warm up with some Christmas goodies, tea and Glögg. Then we marched up and down Logan Boulevard singing and accordion-ing our way into many people’s evenings, spreading smiles and laughter as joggers, walkers, even cars stopped to smile, sing and wave.What moved me most about this evening, however, is not just the general state of good cheer and merriment, but rather the overwhelmingly positive response that so many homes had. One home we stopped at, for instance, we decided to sing at simply because we saw a woman baking through the drapes in her kitchen window. That’s right, we peered through her window and saw her mixing something, so we began to sing. In any other circumstance, this would have been outrageously creepy and inappropriate, but not if you're singing "Joy to the World" with an accordion and an adorable two year old. As soon as she saw us she smiled and ran away. I thought we startled her, but no, she came back moments later decked in her coat, scarf, and boots and she had cookies in hand. She came outside with a huge smile, and happily offered us all cookies as we finished the song. I was so touched by how enthusiastically she removed herself from her home -- the very hearth of her home, the kitchen -- and came smiling out into the cold to offer fresh baked goods.Another home opened their door mid-song, and I could tell that they were in the process of laying their kids down for bed.   The mother quickly turned around and headed back inside with her infant. Again I thought we had startled her or her child, but she soon came back with her other two boys in their PJs and presented them to the choir on their front lawn. At first they didn’t know how to respond, one even covered his ears, but eventually one of them warmed up to us and did a little shuffle out on to the porch with a big smile. He leaned forward, scrunching up his nose, and wiggled his whole body in a sort of shivering shuffle. He did a lap on the porch then went back and watched the rest of the song from behind his mother’s legs. When we finished, they all waved and said “Merry Christmas!” as we walked awayThe reason I share these stories in such detail is because all the singers agreed that this was such a rich and uplifting experience, and that we wish it happened more. “I felt the Christian spirit walking, singing and shaking hands of people by streets, sidewalks and stores…” one caroler stated. Another, after a tearful embrace, said, “It reminds me of all the good in the world.”“All the good in the world,” she said, “you can’t even understand how good this feels.”If it meant that much to her, and it surely meant so much to me, I wanted to make sure last night had the chance to mean something to you too. That’s why I share these stories now.May we head in to these precious days ahead with a spirit of generosity toward our neighbor… but not generosity in the material sense… rather, in the simplest of forms: time, attention, and eye contact. May we notice our neighbor, in other words, and bring them a glimpse of the warmth and love that we cherished last night. May we honor Christ’s birth by delivering His presence into all of those in our midst.Merry Christmas, and thanks be to God for all the good in our world.For more information on Urban Acacia, its newsletters, and upcoming or past events, CLICK HERE!