Today’s situation is similar to that of years gone by when the World was in turmoil and evil was rampant. At that time there seem to be no hope, but then the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary and informed her that she was God’s chosen one to bring forth that hope, the Saviour, that is to renew mankind.

Like Mary, we also question the circumstances, “How can this be” (Luke 1 vs 34). We ask why we are in this situation concerning the pandemic? There are many questions we can ask, but the answers are few and sometimes does not accurately target what we really want to know. But even though 2020 will be remembered as the year of Covid-19 and its drastic impact in our daily lives; it will also be remembered for the leaders who emerged from the pandemic. From those front line workers in health care, the supermarket attendants, business officers, police, military, and all those others, so many to remember who fought against an invisible enemy and try their best to keep our way of life going as best they could.

Let us not forget those working behind the scenes to ensure a vaccine can be made available. In no other time in history has a vaccine been created so quickly, this shows the resilience of the human race in the face of a pandemic. But again, the vaccine has also been met with many questions as to its safety, its side effects and whether or not it would be forced upon us.

 

This is the time that each of us in our organisation, step up to the plate, giving that reassurance to a troubled friend or partner. The little ones will also be asking questions, the usual toy or special gift may not be possible this time around. In some homes, the sacrifice of the customary Christmas Tree and the pretty lights and gifts that complement this season may not be apparent.

Mechanism teaches us humility and being able to help those less fortunate than ourselves. We can still give what we can to the many charities, to children homes, the Salvation Army and other entities so that those without may have some cheer this season and the joy of Christmas can become that reality just as Jesus Christ became our reality many years ago. The promise of the Lord Jesus Christ coming to rescue us brought light into the world and ignite hope, let your hope be fuelled by his Light.

 

Mechanism is not a religion. We welcome people of all different faiths and beliefs into our organisation we only ask that you have a belief in a supreme being. In the Christian faith, there is the celebration of hope as we moved from the darkest day of the year and the days begin to get brighter. We celebrate with Christmas and the birth of Christ who taught very specific lessons when dealing with your fellow man. These lessons are taught in other religions as well.

The lessons Christ taught were of tolerance, justice, hope and kindness, to only name a few. These lessons are taught throughout Mechanism. It is because of this that I believe Mechanism truly embodies the idea of the Christmas season year-round.

In our units, we daily; not just at this time of year, plan and perform acts to help our communities. We teach our members to deal honestly and fairly with all whom we encounter. We stand on the level with our brothers whether we have known them for years or we are meeting them for the first time. We don't care about their religious or political affiliation, all we know is that they are standing there in that room with us; they believe that we have the right to our beliefs just as we believe they have the right to theirs.

The Spirit of Mechanism, that great Christmas Spirit, we display in our daily actions with the intention to make the world a better place while sharing our tenets of Mechanism with those who we interact with. 

In closing, I want to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas regardless of faith and may this season bring you joy and happiness and a better tomorrow. May God continue to Bless the Independent United Order of Mechanics.

RWDGM Hon. Patrick Bennett