Speaking of Spirit

Photo Credit: Office Publisher Clipart Several years ago, I heard the term Blue Christmas Service for the first time. I was not aware of this term or tradition. I looked up the term and found this explanation:  " Blue Christmas, also called the Longest Night in the Western Christian tradition, is a day in the Advent season marking the longest night of the year. On this day, some churches hold a church service that honors people who have lost loved ones in that year. The Holy Eucharist is traditionally a part of the service of worship on this day. Some churches hold a service of worship on the longest night of the year, which falls on or about December 21st, the Winter Solstice. There is an interesting convergence for this day as it is also the traditional feast day for Saint Thomas the Apostle. This linkage invites making some connections between Thomas's struggle to believe the tale of Jesus' resurrection, the long nights just before Christmas, and the strugg...

As we sit at our tables this week, let us remember to give thanks for all we have been given. Let us find time to say the words of gratitude to That which has given us all we have in whatever manner we perceive that Divine Energy to be. At a loss for words?  Here are some you can use at your meal. Blessings and Gratitude for you all! A Prayer for the Thanksgiving Feast               from   Talking to God  by Rabbi Naomi Levy   For the laughter of the children,  For my own life breath,  For the abundance of food on this table,  For the ones who prepared this sumptuous feast,  For the roof over our heads,  The clothes on our backs,  For our health,  And our wealth of blessings,  For this opportunity to celebrate with family and friends,  For the freedom to pray these words  Without fear,  In any language,  In any faith,  ...

Photo: (c) 2018 LMRNeas This morning, as I rose to watch the sunrise, a thought came to me. What if we committed random acts of appreciation?  What if we mindfully thanked others for the hundreds of small and often overlooked things they do for us every day? Who am I talking about?  Everyone!  Our lives are touched by hundreds of people every moment, but we don't see them, even when the gifts they give us are important for our well-being. For example: Thank the people who pick up your trash, or the young man or woman stocking the shelves, or the person driving the bus. Thank the clerk and the bagger; thank the teacher and crossing guard; thank the spouse who brings you tea or coffee. There are so many opportunities! Thing is, you never know how your gratitude can change someone, especially someone who is feeling invisible. So, next time you pass the janitor in the hall at work or at school, take a second to say, "Thanks for the great job you do of keeping...

Photo by Ben Combee from Austin, TX, USA CC BY 2.0  via Wikimedia Commons Just days before these mid-term elections, we send up our thoughts to the Divine Energy. Please bless us with peaceful elections. Please keep those who would hinder others at bay. Please enlighten those who have sat in apathy too long to rise up, go to the polls and vote. Please bless those who will work ceaselessly to combat hate, corruption, oppression, greed, and injustice with the opportunity, power and grace to do just that. Just days before these mid-term elections, we ask for Divine help, humbly and with hopeful anticipation. May we all remember that together, we are more powerful than hate. Blessings to all!