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the Civil War came to its bloody conclusion, the president showed
the nation his heart and called for reconciliation in our wounded
nation with these immortal words: “With malice toward none, with
charity for all . . ..”
We rightly give special tribute to the birthdays of great human
beings, and, among them, Abraham Lincoln does indeed rank very high.
However, the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas time receives
unequaled devotion and reverence. Significantly, Lincoln quotes
Jesus twice in this short address (along with other biblical
references). I think his profound sufferings as president and his
deep reflections on the Will of God throughout the fratricidal war
enabled the president to say with our Lord: “Not our will be done
but Thy Will be done” (Matt 26:38-42)!
In turn, becoming fully human, with all its creaturely limitations
(Hebrews 4:15; 5:7-8), enabled the Lord Jesus to affirm the
president’s insight: “The Almighty has His own purposes.” He humbly
prayed: “not my will but Thine be done” (Luke 22:42).
Christmas is about the mysterious juxtaposition of
charity and malice! Christmas dramatizes God’s charity toward
humanity amid King Herod’s malice toward the children born in
Bethlehem (Matt 2:16). Today we read the same stories of vicious
slaughter and see the same images of mangled children’s as we watch
the war between Israel and Hamas and between Russia and Ukraine.
World events, national, and even local developments, convince us
that we as individuals alone cannot overcome the evil in the world
even when we commit to live lives of love, sacrifice, and
benevolence.
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However, the spirit of Abraham Lincoln in our shared
history, and the Spirit of Jesus Christ in our hearts and minds,
enable us to contribute to the coming of God’s Kingdom on earth.
That is what the angels sang at Jesus’ birth and that we today sing
in our worship: “Glory to God in the highest; good will to men!”
(Luke 2:14).
For many years I have lived in Lincoln unaware of the charity of so
many of my neighbors. I now have become aware of so much of the
goodwill and compassion that guide so many generous people in our
town. President Lincoln’s hope that we show malice to none but have
charity for all is alive and well in our charitable organizations
and fundraising events. While concerned for the health of our town,
including the closing of our college and our university, Lincoln
would be proud of the sacrifices made by so many to help their
neighbors and friends!
The Lord Jesus Christ has told us what is good: “Love your neighbor
as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Lincoln has told us what is good: “To
ease another’s burden is to forget one’s own.” That is the secret at
the heart of Christmas-giving!
Therefore, more than the bright lights, the festive trees, the
joyful carols, the cute cards, and the thoughtful gifts, you and I
can celebrate Christmas by exposing and rejecting malice in our
intentions toward any and embracing charity and compassion in our
intentions for all!
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