It's morning the day after Christmas. The tinsel remains, and the Christmas lights are all aglow at least for a few more days. Fancy wrapping paper and beautiful ribbons that were once strewn across the floor in excitement to uncover the treasures beneath, is now recycled. Gifts that were shared on Christmas morning are tucked away or lovingly placed int the “to be returned” pile.
It's morning the day after Christmas and the sun rises over the eastern horizon exactly as it does every day. The birds awaken and begin their symphony of song as they do every morning. Micah runs across the yard at breakneck speed in an attempt to catch the squirrel just as he does every day. The squirrel scampers safely to the treetops, as they do every day.
It's morning the day after Christmas and I sit for my time of silence, prayer, and reading with my menagerie of animals gathered round just as we do each day. There is little to remind me that yesterday the Christian world celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ. Yet, as one who practices the path of Unity, there isn’t a day that I am unaware that this Christ is born in me. Each day we live from the knowing that the Divine, born into humanity is our DNA. Just as the color of our hair and eyes, the size and shape of us is our essence, so too is our Christ-ness.
As I sit to write this, the words of John & Yoko Lennon flow through my mind: “So this is Christmas and what have you done, another year over, a new one just begun.”
I wonder and inquire within my heart: how might I carry this spirit of Christmas more fully into every day of the year? I may do this with the spiritual practices beginning with meditation, forgiveness, gratitude, mindfulness, loving-kindness.
Today, the invitation is to hold the spirit of Christmas in our hearts today and for all of our tomorrows. I share with you this metta for loving kindness from the Buddhist practice
May you be peaceful,
May you be happy
May you be safe
May you awaken to the light of your true nature
May you be free.
May all beings be peaceful.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be safe.
May all beings awaken to the light of their true nature.
May all beings be free.
Sunday we will experience the ritual of the burning bowl. This is a powerful practice of non-attachment, non-resistance, and release that helps prepare our heart, mind, and spirit to live our true nature and intentions in the coming year.
Sunday, being fifth Sunday and we are excited to begin at 10:30 with special music with our very own Music Director, Rachel Avonne! You won’t want to miss a single song. I’ll be there early. Will you join me?
I wish for you continued blessings.