Possibility: personal unfolding and prophetic vision
Now the Work of Christmas Begins
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in
the heart.
To close our Christmas Eve worship, the choir sang a hauntingly beautiful and prophetic song with the above words by Howard Thurman. I was immensely moved by this piece which has stuck in my mind. Certainly, it speaks to our theme for the new year, possibility, and gives a vision for the future.
The work is global, perhaps overwhelming, but essential. But we can find so many ways to begin. Some possibilities: reach out to one who needs a hand; listen when someone needs a voice; share with the food pantry and soup kitchen; work for prisoner rights; let your politicians know where you stand, join a group working for justice; take care of yourself; and sing as loud as you can so others may hear and join in.
Let 2019 unfold with music in our hearts.
Vicki Merriam, Director of Religious Education
RE Calendar – January
1/6 – KidSpace: UU prayer flags; in the Tibetan tradition of hanging prayer flags at the new year to symbolize a welcoming of life’s changes and an acknowledgment that all beings are part of a greater ongoing cycle, we’ll make and hang flags based on our UU principles. Each flag may represent a possibility for 2019.
1/13 –- KidSpace: Junk Day; children will invent impossibly possible things from random, recycled supplies.
1/20 –- KidSpace: Kindness Day; we’ll role play acts of kindness and make golden rulers.
1/27 – Whole Congregation Worship, “Perfectly Imperfect; Impossibly Possible”: we’ll reflect on this concept, consider “used-to-thinks” and imagine new endings. It IS in every one.
Followed by Sunday Social: “Winter Comfort”. Bring your favorite comfort food to share if you wish. Please wear jammies/comfortable clothes. Bring a stuffed animal and/or blankie, too.
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