“And a Little Child Will Lead You” - Loey Powell
His face shone like sunshine, a smile so wide it stretched from horizon to horizon. All will be well – that’s what you felt when you looked at him.
Nkosi Johnson died at age twelve from HIV/AIDS in Johannesburg, South Africa, several years ago. Just twelve years old but already he had given the world more inspiration and hope than most of us do who live out our adult lives well into retirement. With a boldness that comes from fearing nothing – especially death – and a faith in humanity far deeper than the wisest of the wise, Nkosi advocated for those living with HIV/AIDS.
“We are all human beings,” he told the 13th International AIDS Conference delegates. “We are normal. We have hands. We have feet. …Don’t be afraid of us – we are all the same.” Simply and powerfully, this young child of God called to the best inside of us to respond with compassion and love.
Soon we will peer into the makeshift mangers set up in our places of worship this time of year and be reminded of the stark, cold, inhospitable circumstances of Jesus’ birth. No room at the inn, hence Mary and Joseph ended up in the stable. Maybe the local midwife was there; maybe not. We are not told. A child of God was born into a world that reflected that cold barn in a time when hopelessness sat in the hearts of those who loved God.
Still we think of lions lying down with lambs around Jesus’ manger and we allow hope to rise in our souls in spite of harsh conditions around us this time of the year. We sing of peace. We imagine a world where peace and justice prevail. We tell ourselves, if just for a moment, that all will be well again. There will be an economic turnaround. We will have jobs. We will lay down our guns and our fears and our suspicions. We will reverse global warming and end the scourge of AIDS and malaria and hunger. We will raise our children to dream of all they can do. They will be safe in their neighborhoods, safe from predators, safe from despair that depletes the soul.
The Prince of Peace calls to us in our day to reach for the best inside of us and respond with compassion and love. Do it for our children whose smiles ought to light up the world. Do it for our young ones who will lead us into tomorrow with a wisdom far beyond their years. May our prayers and our actions let them and the world know that all will be well. May our prayers honor children like Nkosi as we yearn for a New Year that brings hope, respect and dignity to all human beings, and to this earth.
Peace be with you.
The United Church of Christ has a long history of working for Peace and Justice. We are actively working to ensure peacemaking in these areas right now! Click on one of the issues below for more information on what the UCC is doing and how YOU can get involved.
Conscientious Objection to the Military
Decade to Overcome Violence
