STARBUCKS says, "Come Together"

The world's biggest coffee chain is asking employees at cafes in the Washington, D.C. area to scribble the words "Come Together" on cups for drink orders. CEO Howard Schultz says the words are intended as a message to lawmakers about the damage being caused by the divisive negotiations over the "fiscal cliff."

It's the first time employees at Starbucks cafes are being asked to write anything other than customers' names on cups.

COME TOGETHER:  Two powerful words.  Two words that could possibly prevent nations from war - marriages from disaster - children from alienation to parents...and the list goes on.

We are long past due a COME TOGETHER in our country.  It's time for politicians to put America first - the economy - defense - decent morals - and again, the list goes on.

Starbucks has something here with this "Come Together" thing.  It's time for congregations in all churches to come together.  We must unite (COME TOGETHER) as believers and stand for righteousness and the continuing freedom to express Christianity in our country without ridicule or opposition. 

I read a fitting story in a devotion this morning:

During World War I, in the winter of 1914, on the battlefields of Flanders, one of the most unusual events in history took place. The Germans had been in a fierce battle with the British and French. Both sides were dug in, safe in muddy man-made trenches six to eight feet deep that seemed to stretch forever… but it was Christmas, and what happened next was astonishing, writes Stanley Weintraub, author of the book, Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce.

“The Germans set trees on trench parapets and lit the candles. Then, they began singing carols, and though their language was unfamiliar to their enemies, the tunes were not. After a few trees were shot at, the British became more curious than belligerent and crawled forward to watch and listen. And after a while, they began to sing.

By Christmas morning, the "no man's land" between the trenches was filled with fraternizing soldiers, sharing rations and gifts, singing and (more solemnly) burying their dead between the lines. Soon they were even playing soccer, mostly with improvised balls.”

Though the war had to continue, as commanders on both sides ordered their troops to restart hostilities, this interval of peace during war was extraordinary and unprecedented.  

I wonder how long the soldiers would have continued in their COME TOGETHER time.  Perhaps ... one or two at a time... they would simply turn around and walk away from war...head home and return to their families.   

Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Mark 3:24
And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.

Mark 3:25
And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

COME TOGETHER.  It's good.   Come Together  might be a great theme for churches in 2013. 

Thanks, STARBUCKS. 
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