Rev. David Florence
Unity of St. Petersburg is alive and well. It is very appropriate that the power for December is that of Life. As was November’s of Renunciation or Release. We have been through quite an ordeal here in our community and so to have a focus on the power of Life will empower us to experience just that. In affirming and holding the Divine Idea of Life, we align ourselves with the vital Life energy that moves through our church and our local and personal communities to bring about healing and rejuvenation wherever it may be needed.
At this moment it may seem to many of us that life may never be the same, and in part that is correct. Life is always in the process or recreating itself and is never the same from one day to the next. As time passes and the healing spirit of Life does its work, we will at some time look back at this past month and perhaps still mourn to a degree for those things we held dear. We will also marvel at the power of Spirit, which will have brought us to a new place, a renewed sense of wholeness and a deeper understanding of our relationship with God and each other.
It doesn’t seem possible that it is December already, even though I did see the first lights up on a house yesterday, which officially heralds in the decorating season.
We are looking forward to our special Christmas Music Concert and our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.
At times, as I think of the Christmas Season, my mind wanders to a comedy sketch I saw many years ago with Lilly Tomlin playing a “crazy lady” who had her Christmas tree up all year and baked cookies and gave presents and hugged everyone, greeting them with… Merry Christmas! Being it was summer, everyone else acted annoyed at her behavior. The last line of that skit has stuck with me all these years. She said…”What’s wrong with celebrating Christmas every day of the year?” A very poignant question. It is one that appeals to the soul, for truly every day is a celebration of Spirit. Christmas is a celebration of joy and happiness for the presence the Christ Spirit within us and the world. While the joyous feelings and deep spiritual connections that are realized during this time tend to fade over time, the Truth is that your connection to the Christ Spirit within never fades. It is the awareness of it that fades after the celebration as our focus tends to be brought to the things of the world.
Let us use our time of personal and communal prayer this holiday season to set an intention. Let us hold on to that feeling of connection to Spirit, bringing it with us into the rest of the year as a celebration that is acknowledged each and every day.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).
During the upcoming year, when you realize that the world has caught up with you, take a moment and bring yourself back to the celebration — back to a time that you were moved, body, soul and Spirit into the awareness of the Presence. Know that you are forever and always connected to and in the presence of that perfect Love bringing forth the Spirit of Christmas to bless you throughout the year.
With you in the Heart of Christ,
Rev. David
