At our Jingle Jangle Community Carol Sing on Sunday Efrain Diaz led everyone in Feliz Navidad. We did pretty good with the Spanish part. On the other hand here is the version our five-year-old great niece Claudia sang to her mom. “Feliz naughty dodd, from the bottom, Bon voyage!” Claudia didn’t quite understand the real words. She’s still developing her language skills.
Sometimes adults fail to communicate. They don’t take time to listen to one another but instead jump into the conversation interrupting each other. While one talks, the other is formulating a response. Sometimes we are unable to hear what the other is saying because we have preconceived ideas of their intent. A genuine compliment is taken for an insult. We let our expectations influence our interpretations of the words of others and sometimes the Word in scripture itself. It’s probably impossible to be completely free of prejudices but to the extent we can, we need to try to listen intently to others. We need to develop our love language skills. Then maybe we can better live up to the admonitions in these scriptures:
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Holy God, we ask that you open our ears, eyes and hearts so that we may truly discern the meanings of other’s words. Help us to understand their words and your Word. Grant us wisdom and kindness of heart and speech. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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