Dear Friends,
Many have shared that they are happy to see 2020 come to a close. This past year has been challenging for us all. We have navigated our way not only through a pandemic, societal unrest and racial injustice, but also through a polarized election season that has seemed to have gone on forever. Yes, collectively and individually we have been overwhelmed as “our world” as we know it has been cracked open.
The season of winter is upon us. Metaphysically, winter represents a time of hunkering down, a time of inner stillness and reflection, and a time of release in preparation for new life in the spring. The seasons of our lives do not always follow the calendar cycle and most would agree that we, as a collective, began our inner experience of winter in the early spring and are longing for it to be over.
I understand!
What I wholeheartedly place my faith in is that humanity, on a deep soul level, has said YES to a profound, collective awakening. I place my assurance in knowing that each one of us is imbued with a resilient spirit, that when summoned upon, will endow us with the patience, strength, and courage we need to endure and transcend our season of winter, regardless of its duration.
December not only ushers in the official start to winter, but also welcomes the celebrations of Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. Although traditions vary in how these holidays are observed, the one thing they have in common is the symbolism of LIGHT. As the candles of the Menorah, the Advent Wreath, and the Kinara are lit, many take time to pause, reflect and remember that we do not enter the harshness of our dark and barren times without our INNER LIGHT. I believe that the light of resiliency, hope, and the promise of new and glorious life is the flame that burns brightly at the Divine core of us all!
My dear friends, as you participate in your holiday candle lighting this year, I invite you to designate a special candle to light each evening at 8 pm during the next month to symbolize your inner resilience and faith in the promise of new life. Before lighting your candle affirm, “I am the Light of Divine Resilience, Faith, and New Life.”
Let us also remain connected throughout the holiday season by participating in the virtual special services that are listed below. I hope you will find comfort from the words penned by John O’Donahue in his poem, “The Spaces Between Us” also below. Together we stand in Truth, Love, and Life to bring Light to the darkness.
Love,
Rev Angela
The Spaces Between Us
This is the time to be slow,
Lie low to the wall
Until the bitter weather passes.
Try, as best you can, not to let
The wire brush of doubt
Scrape from your heart
All sense of yourself
And your hesitant light.
If you remain generous,
Time will come good;
And you will find your feet
Again on fresh pastures of promise,
Where the air will be kind
And blushed with beginning.
~John Donahue
Holiday Schedule
