Speaking of Spirit

 Mother and Child (c) 2018 Rev. Linda M. Rhinehart Neas "Unto us a child is born." - Isaiah 9:6 Years ago, in the church of my childhood, I first heard these words said during Midnight Mass. I wondered at the time why the Babe was being born "to us." But, as is the habit with children, I didn't ponder the point for long. In fact, I didn't think about it again, until the following year, when the grand announcement was once again given.   So, why does the prophet use these exact words? A half-century later, I believe it is because in cultures around the world, the birth of a child is not simply celebrated by family, but also by the community. A baby is evidence that life continues. Regardless of what horrors the child might be born into, the child's birth brings hope that Love will triumph.   A child is born someplace in the world every quarter of a second - that's four babies per second! Humanity, despite all the pain and suff

  Photo Credit: Rev. Linda M. Rhinehart Neas For many of the holy times we celebrate there are times beforehand that are for preparation, reflection, as well as for hope and healing. The season before Christmas is called Advent. This is a time during which Christians prepare to celebrate for the birth of Jesus.  During this time, many homes and most churches light the four candles (three pink, one purple) of an advent wreath. As each of the four weeks before Christmas begin, a new candle is lit. The light of the advent wreath reminds Christians that Jesus is the "Light of the World." Not coincidentally, the first candle lit symbolizes hope.  With Hope, we can move forward through dark times. With Hope, we have the strength to carry on, even in the face of great pain and suffering. The following week, the candle that symbolizes Faith is lit. When we have Hope, our Faith in something bigger than ourselves grows. Joy is the symbol of the third candle. Joy comes w

Angels: symbols of hope, safety, enlightenment Photo Credit: (c) 2018 Linda M. Rhinehart Neas As I decorated for the holidays, I became acutely aware of the many symbols I have found comfort in over the years. Symbols that belong to the stories of how peace and love can be found in the darkness of hate and chaos.  For example, after a prolonged illness as a child, when it was believed that I might die, the sister superior of our school gave me a little paper Angel to remind me that God was watching over me and sent me Angels to protect me from harm. That became a story of great importance in my life; one that, for me, was valid, real and for which I have had many qualifying experiences. But, for other people, angels are so much fluff. Some people classify angels with the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy, myths told as a child that hold no real usefulness in our adult world. Karen Armstrong, a former nun, writer and creator of the Charter of Compassion, wrote in "A S

The days have been getting shorter as we whirl toward the Winter Solstice on a planet where the daily news seems darker than the skies. How do we keep our balance?  In ancient times, the people of the North brought in evergreens and lit huge fires, both reminders that life continues. Many of the traditions in cultures around the world focus on the balancing of Light and Dark at this time of year.  Unfortunately, as humans evolved and our world went from agrarian and hunter/gatherers to industrial/technical, we have cast aside many of the traditions and rituals that helped people keep the equilibrium. If these rituals and traditions are practiced, often, the meaning has been long forgotten. Like bells without clappers, there is no rhyme or reason to what we do any longer. How do we cope? How do we find meaning in chaos?  On Doctor Oz's website, the physician, Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary, suggests using ancient ayurveda practices to help maintain a healthy balance during t