Christmas
is fast approaching and it is hard not to feel overwhelmed by the modern
day materialistic trappings of this time of festivity. It seems to me as though the
traditional Christmas story of the journey to Bethlehem with all its magical
symbolism may become forgotten. The giving of gifts is certainly remembered but
maybe not a lot else—except in primary schools’ nativity plays.
However,
whatever the religious beliefs, and whether the Christian Biblical Christmas
story is thought of or not, I know that many people do become really concerned, particularly at this time
of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, for the plight of homeless people. There
is a feeling in many people’s hearts of wanting to give in some charitable way
and this is a wonderful thing. In the UK we have recently experienced the
annual ‘Children in Need’ appeal which has had very wide media coverage and
raised millions of pounds. The money is put to good use in lots of
heart-warming ways.
However,
although those of us, like myself, who visit big cities (London for example) are sadly used
to seeing homeless adults huddled in doorways and subways, it is still shocking
to think of children in our ‘wealthy’ society living in terrible poverty.
My
colleague at New Lands, Jan, emailed me recently about a report issued by the
charity for homeless ‘Shelter’. She
wrote: ‘The charity Shelter has just
published analysed data related to more than 90,000 children in the UK who are
without a permanent home. The charity’s chief executive, Campbell Robb, said
the “heart-breaking” figures suggest the equivalent of three children in every
school are homeless. The researchers were particularly disturbed to find that
in June 2014 some 2,130 families in England alone were living in bed and
breakfast hotels, almost double the figure for the same period in 2011when the
figure was 1,210. Families in this position told the charity that they often
felt unsafe, with children exposed to drug and alcohol abuse, fighting,
swearing and racial language. Some said they had to live in one room, share
kitchen and bathroom facilities with strangers, eat meals on the bed or on the
floor. Others reported depression, panic attacks and their children bed
wetting. One mother said, “my son became depressed for the first time in his
life and my daughter even started self-harming”. Some told the charity of
journeys of up to ninety minutes to school and a few failed to attend lessons
altogether.
Jan
went on to suggest that we can make a very real contribution in the White Eagle
Healing and Brotherhood work. She wrote:‘It seems to me that these families need
holding in our hearts, in the protective ray of the Great Healer and the love
of the Great Mother. I do believe we have a spiritual responsibility not only
as brothers but as caring human beings to be aware of such happenings
especially as they are on the increase. The soul of the people of Britain does
need to rise to overcome these distressing conditions. Thirty years ago I had
the privilege of working with many homeless families. They all loved their
children and tried to live decent lives, but were caught in a severe poverty
trap. My heart feels the sadness that this situation still continues alongside
extreme wealth.’
So from our deep caring
we have the opportunity with White Eagle’s beautiful teaching and the
inspiration of the Star to not only make material gifts if we can, but also to
focus our prayers at this time on the tragedy of homelessness.
I can't help but think of the Christmas story: that Jesus was born
in a simple stable. The innkeeper had compassion in his heart and found a
solution for Mary and Joseph’s homelessness. Let us pray that one day the magic
of the Star will help manifest a warm and comforting home for every child, and let us work with the light to make it so!
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