The Ninth Day of Christmas

Does the world value gentleness? Perhaps in some circles it is valued. We value gentleness in those who attend the sick. Yet, generally, gentleness is in short supply. We read and hear the stories. Where and when the world needs gentleness, it gets, instead, harsh judgement. We think of gentleness as the antithesis of strength.
Perhaps we need to revisit what it means to be God’s gentle people. Gentleness should grow out of our awareness that we all falter at times. We need to be gentle with ourselves – and then extend that gentleness to those around us. Gentleness emerges out of our awareness that we and the world are God’s beloved. “God did not send the son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”