Christmas time is filled with child-like utopian dreams, highlighted by smiles of joy and laughter, everyone loving their neighbor in a world decorated with reds and greens. Take a moment. Can you remember the twinkling little eyes mesmerized by the brilliance of silvers and golds? The tinsel and lights, the holly, the songs and melodies all remind us, young and old, that this is a special time of the year when tiny tastebuds become moistened and tickled by hunger-enticing smells in the kitchen. The potpourri, and paraffin fragrances quiet their precious little souls, ever alert and listening for sleighbells. We all can remember the sweet little Christmas song,

“Let There Be Peace on Earth,” and Let It Begin With Me.” by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller.

Sadly, an identity crisis-filled, intersectionality-afflicted world begs to answer the question, who is ME? From stereotypes, phenotypes, skin complexions, grades of hair, pronouns, and political persuasions, how can we let it begin with me when we don’t know who “ME” is? That is why we can’t get the whole peace on earth conversation started—finding fault with others while under a system built to benefit a few has us all in a chaotic land of rage and animosity. 

In her article entitled  How to Recognize and Cope With an Identity Crisis, Updated on April 11, 2023, Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD. Kendra Cherry, MS, from her online publication Verywell Mind, shares the following concerning the personal Identity Crisis: 

“A person going through an identity crisis may be preoccupied with certain questions:

• What am I passionate about?
• What are my spiritual beliefs?
• What are my values?
• What is my role in society or purpose in life?
• Who am I? (This question may be in general or in regard to relationships, age, or career.)

It is important to be aware that having negative feelings about yourself or your life can be an indicator of a vulnerability for depression.”

There are no easy answers to finding ourselves in a crowded world that aims to pigeonhole and simultaneously write us off. In meeting so many expectations of others, it is not a far stretch to see the erosion of personal viability, coupled with the multiple layers of intersectionality that confront particularly marginalized communities of color.

We Grasp for what is not there. The illusions of equality, justice, and vitality illude us like phantoms in the night. We don’t know whose there when we look in the mirror. Is it ME or some monolith created by a society to fulfill its needs?

Kevin Robinson

We grasp for what is not there. The illusions of equality, justice, and vitality illude us like phantoms in the night. We don’t know who’s there when we look in the mirror. Is it ME or some monolith created by a society to fulfill its needs?  

Toddlers learn to say mine reasonably early about the things that belong to them. However, when you point to their face in a picture and ask them who this is, they often refer to themselves in the 3rd person because their identity is wrapped in what their parents named them. In the same way, even as adults, our existence is shrouded in the idea of what label is placed upon us by those who are more powerful or by a society that has already slotted a path for us to travel. In all of This, where is ME?

Here is some food for thought. ME is who the creator perfected in each person because you matter; Scripture reminds us in this way:

 “I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe. You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful;

I carry this knowledge deep within my soul.” Psalm 139:14 The Voice (VOICE)

Imago Dei is defined as the image of God in Latin i.e., made in his image. We have so much that we learn through curious interactions with one another. The possibilities of what we can discover about our creator whose image we bear are endless. That is where the real meaning of Christmas begins. It begins with one of power coming down to the powerless, not in a self-aggrandizing measure of colonial tyranny, but as a multiethnic baby born to a single mother and her soon-to-be husband. 

When we take a calming deep breath, upon the exhalation, we discover That this was all done for “ME,” In whatever form of humanity, ME radiates from your being. For every ME around the world, you can know that you matter. The baby was referred to as Emanual, meaning God with us.

In all the celebrations of the holidays, this time of year can be the loneliest for many in search of ME. You are not alone. Our creator is with you, He is with us. That baby in the manger wrapped in swaddling clothes was also called the prince of peace. Real peace on earth begins with peace toward the ME that we are created to be. The more we as a society invest in uplifting all Image bearers, the Imago Dei Mosaic of God’s design creates solutions out of chaos. We build bridges, not walls. 

“When I attempted suicide [in 1944] and I didn’t succeed,” she said, “I knew for the first time unconditional love—which God is. You are totally loved, totally accepted, just the way you are. In that moment I was not allowed to die, and something happened to me, which is very difficult to explain. I had an eternal moment of truth, in which I knew I was loved, and I knew I was here for a purpose.”

Discipleship Ministries | History of Hymns: “Let There Be Peace on… (umcdiscipleship.org) online resource

The above quote is from “David Freudberg’s National Public Radio program Humankind” interview with, Let There Be Peace On Earth co-author, Jill Jackson. The quote reminds us that we all have a purpose, are here for a reason, and have work to do. Let’s get to work. If we allow it to begin with “ME in each of us, ” we become the peace on earth” that we seek.