 Spiritual: December 13, 2017 Issue [#8646] |
  Spiritual
This week: Let Christmas Come Again Edited by: Sophurky  
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Hi, I'm Sophurky ~ 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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Let Christmas Come Again
Getting into the spirit of the season has been difficult this year. There’s so much uncertainty and ugliness in the world. Meanness and willful ignorance are en vogue; the chaos in our national politics and the hostility with which we so easily engage are overwhelming. The most helpful thing I’ve found to deal with it all is that observing Christmas cannot be reduced to a single historical instance. Indeed, Christmas is lessened when it is understood as a single unique episode that happened, had whatever effect it had, and receded into the past, swept backward on the current of time.
But Christmas is a different kind of reality than, say, the signing of the Declaration of Independence or the Emancipation Proclamation. Christmas is a perpetual reality. There are always vulnerable people trying to make their way in an indifferent world. A baby in swaddling clothes is probably never more the a few minutes away from any of us. There are always tyrants looking to consolidate power and destroy political enemies. Our faith calls us to be on guard constantly against all the Herods of the world – to resist, to subvert, to wage peace.
Finding hope this season comes more easily as I remind myself that Christmas isn’t limited to a single night 2000+ years ago. It’s a continuous perspective inviting us to find our own place in the story – again and again and again. Sometimes we’re Joseph or Mary trying to keep our loved ones safe in a dangerous world. Sometimes we’re the innkeeper, too distracted to notice the human need waiting at our doorstep. And sometimes, if we pay attention, we’re the shepherds or magi recognizing the divine presence in unlikely circumstance.
So as we go through familiar rituals once again– consider who you are in the story this year. Will you notice a homeless family and recognize the sacred mystery in their desperate lives? Will you see God’s face in a refugee and share your treasures? Will you rejoice to understand the power and majesty of the universe made manifest in the most vulnerable of our neighbors, and make room for them in your life? Let Christmas come once again into this dark and troubled world, and let us see the Christ child for whoever he is, wherever she is.
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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!
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Now for some comments about my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (November 15, 2017)" about "36 Reasons Why:"
From Shannon 
Beautiful newsletter, Sophurky. 
Thank you! 
       
From Mary Ann MCPhedran 
Thank you for inviting me to be to take part in your newsletter, and yes I agree, a little smile goes a long way. As time has gone by we have accepted each religion in most parts of the World as one unity. The Jews have been the chosen scriptures in the bible. And the World would be a better place if the leaders of the nation would be friendlier to each other, for it saddens my heart because lately the World has gone mad. Mary Ann MCPhedran.
We must be the change we want to see in the world!
From Sand Castles Shopgirl 739 
A very interesting premise to contemplate, and yes, a premise the world could definitely use now.
Very much so, yes.
From Quick-Quill 
Oh my goodness!! This is the best NL I have read in many years!! History, research, a bit of truth, a pinch of the possible and a whole lot of speculation. The Bible tells of Lot who's family lived in Sodom an Gomorrah. God sought to destroy the wicked cities, but would save them if there were but 10 righteous there. Not 10 to be found. What if there were a percentage of righteous that keeps a country/world/city from destruction? What if evil were intent on wiping out the percentage to hasten destruction? What if the percentage were the unknown righteous who called out for peace and for others to turn from evil? All it takes is one to die or leave their belief and life would change.....
So glad it got your wheels turning!
From Elfin Dragon-finally published
I'm forever surprised by what people will believe. Jesus taught in parables/stories so we might better understand God's love for us and how we should treat each other. It certainly doesn't mean we should make it a wholesale part of the religion. What I believe is what Jesus told us and that is to walk in His path - with love, understanding, forgiveness, and faithfulness.
Amen!
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming - and Happy Holidays! Sophurky |
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