This week: Reframing Our Holiday Spirit Edited by: SophyBells More Newsletters By This Editor
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Hi, I'm SophyBells ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountaain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred. |
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2020 has been a challenging year, to say the least. From a global pandemic to a contentious election, from devastating wildfires to a record number of hurricanes, we are more than ready for this year to be over.
People are experiencing all manner of challenges due to COVID-19. Loved ones have died or had their health seriously impaired. People have lost jobs and homes, facing uncertain futures. Children continue with remote learning, and we worship online – choices made to protect one another’s health and safety.
While some have chosen not to gather for the holidays to keep loved ones safe, not everyone is in agreement – the Coronavirus having become just another political football. For some, it is difficult to feel much hope or gratitude with everything so different this year. Which is why it’s more important than ever to reframe our expectations. While we’re certainly not glad for all the trouble piled on in 2020, we are grateful to brave women and men putting their lives on the line every day – health care workers, grocery store clerks, first responders, and of course teachers – just to name a few.
This year we are well served by reframing our holiday spirit. Instead of searching for overlooked crumbs of happiness in the midst of our problems, maybe we could consider silver linings within those troubles – the support of friends, the devotion of workers striving to make life more normal, the integrity of those who live up to high standards. If we have trouble finding light in the darkness, could it be that it’s our challenge to become a the light for others?
As the days shorten and December plunges us into deepening darkness, people of faith observe celebrations of light. Pagans honor Winter Solstice as the beginning of the sun’s return, while our Jewish and Hindu friends celebrate “festivals of light” with Hanukkah and Diwali. Christians observe Advent the four weeks prior to Christmas by lighting candles of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love – reminding us that the “Light shines in the darkness, and darkness has not overcome it.”
Whatever our faith tradition, may we all experience gratitude for the blessings we have, and knowledge of the presence of a sacred light still calling forth the best of who we are.
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Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review. If you have something you would like me to highlight, please do share it with me, thanks!
| | Invalid Item This item number is not valid. #2238936 by Not Available. |
| | Never Alone (E) Experiencing love and connectedness within. Never without a source of love to draw from. #2238836 by J. Lee |
| | Invalid Item This item number is not valid. #2238798 by Not Available. |
| | CCRD (E) It gives a view of commitment and the 'right direction' suitable for personal evaluation. #2237840 by Favour |
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