Justice and love demand that everyone take part in simple practical work with a spade, hatchet, or rake. Everyone should be ready to devote a few hours every day to this practical work; those who have done purely mental work till now will feel its humanizing effect especially. In this way it will be possible for each person’s unique gifts to be kindled. The light that flickers within each heart will then exhibit its once-hidden glow in scholarly research or in music, in expressive words, or in the craftsman’s art in wood, stone, or paint…such work will reveal the joy in life that is in each person. Only death knows idleness and tedium. Where there is life, the mind’s creative will remains alert and comes to expression in the service of the whole.

- Eberhard Arnold, January 1920 From an Essay
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In Christ – and particularly the Christ child – all human pride was cast down, and all degradation was raised up. Mary and Elizabeth had already recognized this in their songs of praise before the birth of Jesus. And why? Because the love of God cannot be revealed in any other way. When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the early Christians, no one was able to keep his possessions to himself anymore.They surrendered everything – just as Jesus did at his birth.

- Eberhard Arnold
December 19,2024

Let King Herod come then with his threats and drive from the land those who follow the star, who have come to the star of love. Let him even drive the divine Child himself out of the land. It makes no difference to those who follow the star. The angel of the Lord will protect the revelation of love in the midst of times of the greatest hatred and of the heaviest darkness and gloom.

- Eberhard Arnold
December 18,2024

The birth of God’s son is God’s challenge for each of us to manifest his love. There is no manifestation of love quite so complete as that of a life lived in unity and community, a love where houses and doors and hearts are kept open for all.

- Eberhard Arnold