Only a few days remaining before Christmas... now the worries set in:
- Have I forgotten anyone in the gift-giving and cards?
- Are all of the preparations enough?
- How will I pay the bills in January?
With all of the beauty of the past several weeks in the music and decorations, we sometimes don't relax and enjoy this season. I wonder why?
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| How do you enter this holy season? (Photo: Christmas Colors - Larry Gardepie) |
Several years ago I began to disengage from the hustle and bustle of these holidays: partly because my parents both passed away in December; partly because I was tired of the pressure to live up to memories. I began traveling: to be close to friends; to see something new; and to reunderstand the Reason for the Season.
I wanted to believe again in the miracle of these holy days.
To believe again... not necessarily in the Santa, elves, and reindeer stories but the wonder and hope of Waiting. This season is intertwined with the belief that God chose to live among us, the prayers of each expectant parent for a safe and healthy birth, and the dark winter months giving way to light.
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| What do you believe in? (Photo: Believe Christmas display, Macy's Union Square, San Francisco - Larry Gardepie) |
To believe again... not necessarily in the Santa, elves, and reindeer stories but the wonder and hope of Waiting. This season is intertwined with the belief that God chose to live among us, the prayers of each expectant parent for a safe and healthy birth, and the dark winter months giving way to light.
I wonder... if we believe in God-Among-Us, how do we explain the pain and suffering in the world? That is, do we treat others knowing that they -- and we -- have Sacred Worth and Value?
On one of my travels, I came across the World Tree of Hope (click link to learn more). That year it was in San Francisco's City Hall. This year it is at Grace Cathedral. This tree is a symbol of hope, uniting the world in prayer and wishes for a better way of life for all.
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| Is there reason to hope? (Photo: World Tree of Hope, San Francisco City Hall 2016 - Larry Gardepie) |
On one of my travels, I came across the World Tree of Hope (click link to learn more). That year it was in San Francisco's City Hall. This year it is at Grace Cathedral. This tree is a symbol of hope, uniting the world in prayer and wishes for a better way of life for all.
As your family and friends share gifts and time together in the next few days, I wonder if it is appropriate to begin a dialogue about:
- Your concerns or worries;
- Your hopes and wishes; and,
- How you will help change this hurting world.
Maybe this season is about how we give birth to hope.
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| Larry Gardepie (click on link for website) |
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