Shining Spirit

Those who walked in darkness have seen a new, bright light.
And those who wandered blindly regained their precious sight.
The lame can walk; the deaf can hear, all because God drew near,
became a human just like me. How can this miracle possibly be?

On those in darkness, a great light has shined,
touching the depths of both heart and mind;
breaking down walls of division and hate,
declaring that no one is ruled by fate,
but guided by justice, mercy and grace:
the Kingdom is found right here in this place.

Darkness has lost its strength and control.
Christ has claimed my heart and my soul,
and I, in turn, will walk His way
until I wake to that beautiful day
and the sounds of angels as they sing:
“the dwelling of God is in everything!”
And I will join them in their songs of praise
through the length and breadth of eternity’s days.

Joy and Peace to all on this remarkable day when Peace became a person, Hope took on humanity, and Love was renamed Light of the World. Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King! A very Merry Christmas to all.

I've watched that sun rise day after day,
and I've heard the words that people say;
helpful, holy, thoughtful words
and cruel remarks better not heard.

But the very best sound to fall on my ear
is the sacred silence; nothing to hear,
absolute quiet, no sound at all.
It is here I wait for the Spirit to call.

Then comes the whisper heard by my heart,
and I feel my spirit slowly start
to smile, then laugh with exquisite joy;
I hold in my arms Mary's boy.

This is the One who makes all things new.
From infant to Savior, he lives to renew
the fragments that have broken apart,
to restore the courage gone from my heart.

This infant child will show us the way.
These hands will heal; this voice will say
truth to powers, rulers and kings;
this son of Mary will teach us to sing

songs of hope, forgiveness and joy;
would you like to hold Mary's boy?
Cradle him gently near your heart,
put aside all that would keep you apart.

Make room in your heart for the one born to be
the presence of God in all we see:
all creatures and Kings, the elite and the poor
will one day walk through that open door

and meet him at last, face to face,
the essence of love, the fullness of grace.
And he will reach out and call me near
in order to whisper in my ear:

I know who you are; I remember your face.
You were the one in a far distant place
who held me safe from danger or harm.
You held me in your caring arms.

So, come my brother, sister, my child;
take my hand and let's walk together awhile.
Behind you now is the rancor and strife.
This is the promised fullness of life.

As he spoke those words, I thought of you:
Would you like to hold the baby, too?

Power, beauty, strength, cleansing, refreshing. No wonder He comes to us again this Christmas as Living Water. May His love wash over you. May His presence refresh you in the moments of your fatigue. May Living Water bring you new life. May you never thirst again. Amen

I resist the idea that darkness is bad,
that good guys wear the white hats,
that evil lurks in the darkness of night.
I simply don't buy a word of that.

How would I know the meaning of light
were it not for darkness that follows day?
Light is defined by retreating night
when the moon and the stars decide to make way
for shafts of light on a rugged hill,
for the first reflections on a quiet lake;
darkness befriends the weary and worn
with peaceful rest from the choices we make.

Darkness is a gift to be gladly received.
It bears no malice or evil intent.
The one who made the heavens and earth
is the one from whom the darkness is sent.

So, I give thanks this beautiful night
for the darkness that makes the light so bright.
And I pray for quiet and restful sleep,
that God's great love will protect and keep
all who await the dawning day.
And to this all the people of God gladly say:
Amen

He stops by periodically. He always pauses, as if he wants to strike up a conversation. I’m willing. But he is aloof, stern. He never smiles. Never makes a sound. He is good at staring, though. My feathered friend, make that acquaintance, reminds me of the importance of smiling, nodding, saying “Hello” to my neighbor, practicing hospitality, being cordial. I will do that today. If I bump into you today, be ready. You’re going to get a smile and a “Hello!” Hospitality is the child of Gratitude. For what are you grateful this good day?

“If you can see your path
laid out in front of you
step by step, you know
it’s not your path. Your
own path you make with
every step you take. That’s
why it’s your path.”
Joseph Campbell

Yes, but aren’t we supposed to follow the path of Jesus, the one who has “gone before us?” Consider this: there is no “one size fits all” pathway; no “follow the yellow brick road” guide. Some people wait and wait and wait some more for their spiritual path to appear. “I’m waiting for the Lord to show me the way.” It’s a long wait until that person finally realizes that their path of faith depends on putting one foot in front of the other. He gives us resources, encouragement, values, principles, and the freedom to risk the outcome of blazing our path. Just apply his message to your brain, your heart, and your two feet and you’re on the way.

Campbell was right. We have watched Jesus blaze a trail of compassion, justice and truth. Now it’s my turn to leave footprints in the sand. I know where he wants me to go, how and why. Those same angels who sang over the Bethlehem manger at his birth are poised to sing again. If you want to hear the song, walk the path. Your path for him.

The words that follow were written by the hands, the mind, and the heart of my friend Robert, or “Robere” as we know him in the community. Everybody needs a friend like Robere.

I am blessed with plenty — in the world where billions go without. While the meaning of life may be elusive, nonetheless it seems it must include joy and beauty. Otherwise, how are we to make sense of such things as a familiar tune that sets our foot a tapping; a baby’s smile that warms our heart; a sunset that fills us with awe — all ephemeral yet providing riches beyond count.

Thus, I choose to dedicate a portion of my riches to the joyful celebration of life and an appreciation of its many beauties on behalf of those who are not so richly blessed. I choose to become duty bound to experience joy in what might otherwise seem mundane.

The simple things I might take for granted — entering my home; eating a meal; drinking clean water; lying in my warm bed; all take on new and celebratory significance. All become sacramental acts and evidence of my sacred pledge to others, that I will enjoy my bounty as their ambassador to a world from which they are not yet included.

By recognizing I live in a heaven that others can only dream of, I consecrate my every fortune and action. In doing so I raise my life to a level of holiness shared with those of the cloth who by choice go without and those who without choice can only wish such bounty lies somewhere to be enjoyed by someone. Here is that somewhere. I am that someone.

Get ready! Get set! Bloom!

Another symbol of Advent, the “get ready” time leading us to Christmas. How are you doing in your own Get Ready season? Decorations up? Gifts purchased? Cards sent? Meal planned? What am I forgetting? Oh, yes. How about your spiritual preparation? By the way, that’s not an “end of the list” item; It’s the banner headline.

A suggestion: remember that Christmas is a celebration of a memory, but the One whom we celebrate is here in our midst, with us, right now. “I will be with you always, even to the end of the age.” Makes the party even better, I think.

Bloom today! Share the joy of preparation with friends and neighbors. Be sure to invite Jesus to the party.

Not just your average Christmas tree. This beautifully decorated tree stands as the centerpiece of a huge lighting project in the town-center of the community where I live. It’s really spectacular. Music plays, the lights twinkle and then many different lighting patterns embrace the tall tree. But, even better, after the thrill of seeing the light patterns on the featured tree, light explodes to the right and to the left. All the rather common Mesquite trees, growing naturally from the ground, burst into color. Every color imaginable. And the light pulses to the beat of happy Christmas music. Amazing sight.

One tree standing alone is breathtaking in its lighting robe of many colors. One tree alone was reason enough to drive the distance, contend with a huge crowd and, therefore, lots of cars moving at 3 mph in and out of the single parking lot. This one, particular tree made the effort worthwhile. But when fifteen other trees, to the right and to the left of the big one, erupted in dancing colors, it became a very memorable moment. It was like watching a light-ballet, or better, a disco celebration.

One tree was great. One plus all the others became spectacular. There must be an insight here…don’t you think? May the Light consume you this good day, and may your bright light blend with others around you to bring a moment of joy to the world.