Thanksgiving (Friendsgiving) is now behind us.  November has been a profoundly difficult month. Many people that I have spoken with are expressing deep sadness.  Some are even saying that they weren’t really in the attitude of gratitude this Thanksgiving.  Some are in despair, lacking any real hope.  This is the cold, hard reality for half of this nation.

The media continues to batter us with messages of comfort and joy, because the Holidays are upon us!  So…It appears that we have a real choice here.  We cave in to despair with its indictment of the future, or we choose to bear witness to the values that have always given us strength.

We choose to lean into each other, to walk together, hand in hand, heart to heart.  We strive to articulate and activate the Divinity in us, to continue to live by our aspirational Principles and Values.  By our Solidarity, we refuse to bend, break, or kneel.  

Whatever Holy Day you “keep” in this month, remember…“It comes without ribbons. It comes without tags. It comes without packages, boxes, or bags.” The Holy Days don’t come from a store. They are inspired from the narratives that live in our heart and that special something that I call “The Little Bit More.” The Bit that calms us and calls us to Peace, that inspires us to seek justice wherever we go.  The joy we feel when we are of service to our brothers and sisters is just one experience of The Little Bit More.  

When I reflect on the Christmas narrative, I interpret that the Christ Child is a symbol of Hope unto our world…that no matter what the circumstances, we can choose hope, because we have love. If you don’t feel it and/or believe it…that’s OK.  Find someone who does believe/feel it, and have a coffee with them. Decide to do something, like volunteer at a soup kitchen or animal shelter.

Just don’t disintegrate into despair!  This is how we will “keep” (honor) not only Christmas, this Holiday Season, and beyond…by focusing on Love and Service each and every day, in each and every way.  Please, hold this space with me, won’t you?

I wish you and yours a truly Happy Christmas, and/or each and every Holiday you hold dear.

Blessed Be,
Rev. Ron