ADVENT ˘ - Unity of Houston | A Positive Path for Spiritual … MESSAGE OF SUPPORT Our ministry is...

ADVENT ��

A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT

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Dear Friend,

Each year as Christmas approaches, we get to “become like little children,” as Jesus advised. As we count down the days till Christmas, we rekindle the innocence, joy, and wonder of the season.

Anticipation is half the fun. The buildup we feel as Christmas approaches mirrors the hope and expectation of more than 2,000 years ago when the Christ child was born. No matter how busy our holiday season becomes, we can pause to feel this timeless connection.

May this Advent booklet guide you on your own spiritual journey to the birth of the Christ Presence in you. And may you have a wonder-filled Christmas!

Love and blessings,

Your Friends in Unity

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Holding My BreathBy Rev. Toni Stephens Coleman

Holding my breath— In a moment it will be here.

My ears hear bells, My heart warms to the hearth.

How after a lifetime of years Do I still feel the thrill

Of Christmas?

Reds and greens Gold, silver, and other things

Capture my eye’s attention. Sparkling trims

Guild people and places Warming the chill winter night. Christmas is coming—oh, my!

Sweaters and toddies, Warm winter hugs,

Perhaps presents and joy. Music that flows from wherever

Spilling out Spirit With total abandon.

Christmas is here—oh, my!

Candlelit churches Deep, sacred moments

Memories of family and friends Rising within

From my heart space again Comes forth

The celebration of Life!

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Keep a True AdventBy Rev. Thomas W. Shepherd, D.Min.

The word Advent, from the Latin “adventus,” covers a wide territory, including: appearance, arrival, emergence, dawn, birth, rise, and development. Advent is celebrated during the four Sundays before Christmas, ending with Christmas Eve. Some churches designate each of these Sundays with special, symbolic words. Unity has chosen Faith, Love, Peace, and Joy.

Each of these is an excellent meditation word for the holiday season, especially when coupled with the alternative meanings for Advent mentioned above. For example, imagine the appearance of a world of Faith—what would it look like? Visualize the arrival of Love, which many people experience in the birth of the Christ child. And for Peace to emerge in our world, what must I do? Maybe this Advent will signal the dawn of Joy—what would it look like in our world?

One of my favorite meditations is to visualize the manger scene with its full cast of characters, some biblical and some traditional. I ease into the crowd and watch. Usually, I stand with the shepherds, but once or twice a wise man has beckoned me with a

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gesture and asked me to carry the gold, myrrh, or frankincense to the manger.

When I retired from the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps in the late 1980s, my first civilian ministry was to serve a small church in Augusta, Georgia. A hospital on Wrightsboro Road had a charming custom that my family adopted as an Advent ritual. Sometime around the first Sunday in Advent, a trio of three-

quarter, life-size, heavy plastic renditions of the Three Wise Men with a couple

of camels appeared on the lawn at the far end of the hospital campus. As the weeks went by, I noticed the Three Wise Men were moving

across the broad grass along the street. Soon a wooden,

straw-roof stable materialized, their obvious destination but

empty for now. Week after week, we drove out of our way to check on the progress of the Magi and their dromedaries.

Sure enough, they kept moving, although we

never saw them lift a foot.

When Christmas Eve services ended, we swung by the

location and—

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behold!—someone had tacked a star and an angel band to the stable top. Now there were animals: ox, lambs, and camels, with the Three Wise Men and newly arrived shepherds (also three-quarter and life-size). Most amazingly, Joseph and Mary knelt before a wooden manger where the baby Jesus now lay down his sweet head. I was very touched. With a little judicious application of the Power of Imagination, it felt like actually being there. Maybe. A little.

My preschool kids, wild with joy, ran around the stable and headed for the baby Jesus, whom I rescued from their excessive zeal with a fatherly admonition to “look but don’t touch.” Who could blame them? They didn’t know their history yet, but for centuries we Christians have upheld this sacred event in stained glass and canvas and mosaic and statuary—Christmas cards, carols, dramatic reenactments, Christmas crèches. Now the physical symbols appear before us. Plastic, but tangible. Heaven has touched earth.

So, every Advent season I take a little time to walk with the Three Wise Men in meditation, to feel their excitement as Bethlehem draws near and the guiding star comes to rest over the manger. Jesus appears in the midst of ordinary life, the mad hustle of the holidays, the traveling home and venturing afar, giving gifts and kneeling to pray. It is a good time to contemplate Faith, Love, Peace, and Joy as we find ever-new ways to keep a true Advent.

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FAITHFIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENTNOVEMBER 27, 2016

Meditation on FaithI await in faithful anticipation the coming of the Christ.

Faith is not something I keep in reserve and call upon only when I have a need or challenge. Faith is an inherent part of my nature that I activate every day in my decision-making.

I live daily in faith and I act daily from faith. Faith is the compass that keeps me on course and moving ever forward toward the birth and full expression of my inner Christ Self.

Through continued attention to my Christ Self, my faith is made visible in everything I do.

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’”—Luke 17:5 (rsv)

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2016

On FaithBy Rev. Toni Stephens Coleman

In the Christmas story we see faith in action. Every character’s part begins by their seeing, hearing, or otherwise discovering what is theirs to do. Then that discovery becomes a vision energized into manifestation. Motivated by faith, every person is called to step beyond normal behavior and do the seemingly impossible.

Young Mary experiences Spirit calling her to birth a new divide idea. She uses her faith to perceive the possibility and bravely allows the vision to grow within her until Jesus, a new idea of Love and Living, is manifest into the world. Joseph is called to have faith in Mary, in the Angel, and to trust himself to protect and nurture Mary and the Child. The story tells us that he steps outside the traditions of his culture.

The shepherds have faith that they are called to witness something important. They trust that their flock will be safe through the night. They are drawn to be part of the shift in consciousness that is happening. The Three Wise Men, coming from afar, walk in faith to view the child, following a star, a bright light that resonates with something deep within them.

Faith energizes our vision into manifestation.

“He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’” —Mark 4:40

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2016

A Faith for Each DayBy Joyce Flowers

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, I hoped for faith. I wished I could get to that unshakably strong center that would see me through any travails of life.

What I’ve learned is that walking through these troubles builds faith. They are necessary for me to deepen my relationship with God.

Now I have a common, everyday faith that can see me through all of the struggles, all of the challenges that life (and I) bring.

It is faith in a kind Universe. This Universe brings me what I truly wish for and serves only my long-term good.

It is faith in my life, in its ups and downs, its mistakes and learnings. It is faith that my own life is just that, my own, and that I can reframe all the events as the purely good meanderings of a soul seeking divine connection.

It is faith in my process of connecting daily, and moment to moment, with what A Course in Miracles calls my inner teacher. I do this to keep my relationship with my higher self fresh and deep. I do this to center myself each day and in each conscious moment.

It is faith in “the still, small voice” within. And it is absolute faith in each helpful, healing message I receive.

We do not know what tomorrow holds for us. But my faith tells me I hold the keys to my divine connection in my heart-hands at all times. And all is well.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”—Hebrews 11:1

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016

Renewed by Faith By Elari Onawa

If you’ve ever felt the pressure that comes with being in a culture built on commerce, remember this: Ours is also a world culture built on faith. Everything we see was built on faith. From the miracles of Jesus, to shiny new gadgets, to what we accomplish, to how we feel—it all emerges from what we expect, from where we place our faith.

Jesus, the Master Teacher, demonstrated the power of faith. He also showed us that we have the freedom to place our trust wherever we choose. When we choose to place our faith in positive possibilities and the inherent goodness within each of us, we expand our sense of wonder and awe. We are renewed by Faith.

Advent reminds us that there is always something coming into being, something in the process of arriving. This is a perfect time to be present to what lights you up. What do you really want to experience in the days ahead? Can you place your faith in that? Can you allow that desired experience to easily emerge through your power of faith? Can you appreciate all that you have as you also celebrate what is in the process of becoming? Yes, you can!

“Then he touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith let

it be done to you.’” —Matthew 9:29

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2016

Faith in ChristmasBy Rev. Barbara Hadley

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This is my first Christmas without Mom. For the past 30 years she has joined us on Christmas morning to open stockings—giant stockings! We put the stockings out on Christmas Eve and first thing Christmas morning everyone who chooses to join us for Christmas puts at least one gift in everyone else’s stocking. Then we unload them all at once in a big hoopla.

But Mom won’t be here to dig through her stocking this year—she passed away last April.

My faith has been on trial dealing with the fact that she is gone, all the details of her estate, and other challenges in life. With this mixed bag of difficulties and blessings, keeping track of God has not been easy this year.

Thank goodness God has been keeping track of me.

The best people have shown up to hold my grief with me. My family has been kind when I have been lost or even downright cranky. They are God showing up to be the presence of love and compassion in the midst of so many changes. Thank goodness God has been keeping track of me.

On Christmas morning I will remember Mom’s laughter and how much she loved opening stockings. God’s love expresses in these tiny moments of life. And when I remember, I can string these pearls of love together and know with deep abiding faith that God is always present, even when I am wandering.

“Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.”—Psalm 30:4

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016

A Faith Beyond Understanding or Logic By Rev. John C. Beerman

I fished a lot as a boy because when I was on my boat fishing there were no arguments from my family, no orders, and no corrections of my behavior. Occasionally, I would get too far out in the river toward the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico. I would lose track of time and find myself surrounded by a summer squall.

The disciples of Jesus found themselves in a similar situation. Their fishing boat was being pounded with ferocious waves, so they awakened a sleeping Jesus and asked for his help. Jesus said to his disciples, “‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm” (Mt. 8:26). He rebuked the waves and the seas became perfectly calm. Isn’t that what we need in the face of fear—calm?

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Through Unity, I have come to know faith as something beyond my logical, mental understanding. Faith defies logic. How could one man who only lived a short time influence millions and continue to do so more than 2,000 years later? How could I survive and even thrive after a childhood of abuse and pain?

Faith transforms your present conditions—be they difficult or divine—into something better than you can fathom. I no longer attempt to understand faith; faith just is. Saying my faith is weak or of the wrong kind is not correct. I believe Jesus was saying to his disciples, “Stop relying on me, and move beyond your intellectual and logical understandings. Find the power of faith within yourselves.”

This Christmas, allow faith to blossom in your expression of life. Move beyond your logical mind to a faith that is the seed of your new birth—a birth that will be divinely inspired.

“Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”—Proverbs 3:3

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2016

FAITH By Rev. Evelyn Foreman

Mother Mary and the Christ child are perfect examples and embodiments of faith. Whenever we are in the presence of a baby in a loving mother’s arms, we are in the presence of faith.

A child entrusts all faith that it will be taken care of. Even though the infant cannot express its needs in words, its mother knows and will provide. It is a simple and primal faith to know that, even when we are vulnerable and helpless, we are not alone. We can rest in the care provided.

When we are childlike in faith, and allow God to be God in our lives, we shift from living in sense consciousness (feeling alone) to living in God consciousness (being one with God). We realize that we are always immersed in the loving presence of God. Our faith that our needs will be provided for gives us peace and hope.

Rather than living each day by our senses, we can live each day by faith, knowing that God underwrites every precious moment of our lives. Through every experience in life—times of change and transition, celebration or mourning, loss or thanksgiving—we rejoice knowing that the living Spirit of God within is in charge.

As we live each day in faith, we willingly entrust our care to the Spirit of God within to emanate, to flow, and to be. In doing so, we are allowing God to be God—to live in us, through us, and as us.

“Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God.’”—Mark 11:22

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PEACESECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENTDECEMBER 4, 2016

Meditation on PeaceFrom that first peaceful night in the manger, to his final days with his disciples, Jesus was a symbol of peace.

When I see violence or injustice in the world around me, I may be tempted to think peace is only a pipe dream. But there is an inner peace that cannot be affected by outer circumstances. This is the peace of the Christ that Jesus exemplified, and I have that peace within me.

When I am discouraged or fearful, I turn my attention inward and seek the immovable, untouchable peace of the Christ. I deny the power of outer circumstances to take away that peace. Then I radiate peace. I am at peace, and I am a peacemaker.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”—John 14:27

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016

Child of Peace By Richard Mekdeci and Sue Riley

Long ago, a child was born Into a world confused and torn, Who brought the gift of hope to you and me. Even if you don’t believe, There’s still a gift if you receive it From the heart of the Child of Peace.

Child of Peace, Pure and sweet, Show me how to be a Child of Peace.

When a child is born, it brings The gift of peace—an offering From the Universe for all to see. In my heart, there is a place— Pure and sacred, warm and safe— Where the Child of Peace is born in me.


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And so the seeds of peace are sown In fields of hope where love is grown

Now unto us the light has come, Heaven’s work will soon be done. In every soul that’s born, will love increase Remember when you see a child, Greet it with a loving smile. And give your heart to the Child of Peace.


“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” —Isaiah 9:6

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2016

Peace in Your FieldsBy Rev. Jeanmarie Eck

Imagine your thoughts are like flocks of sheep, wandering over the fields of your mind. Similar thoughts tend to flock together, and in the dark of the night of your mind, thoughts of fear huddle together and keep each other warm. In the midst of your flock that strays into dark places, there appears the loving thought of a higher way of being, a better way of seeing things and of experiencing your world. These positive thoughts are your shepherds, leading you back to the truth of your Oneness with God.

Jesus Christ called himself the “good shepherd” who “lays down his life for his sheep” (John 10:11). Metaphysically, he represents our higher consciousness, the Christ Mind, brought forth into our conscious awareness, revealing our true divine identity.

When you find yourself caught up in the flock of fearful thinking, look to the Good Shepherd within and listen. Find that guiding thought that leads you back to peace.

Your Christ Mind is always present like a good shepherd, watching over your thoughts. Trust in that, and calm your flock with words of peace. You may need to “lay down your life,” meaning to let go of your focus on all your concerns and worries, and simply allow yourself to be at rest. May you find that the field that seemed so dark by night is now aglow with the light of the stars of your revelations of Truth, and your sheep are peacefully at One with your Shepherd.

“In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.”—Luke 2:8

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2016

PeaceBy Rev. Dale Worley

The story of the birth of Jesus is familiar to anyone in the western world: a quiet night, a simpler time, a faraway setting with mysterious and mystical characters. However, when we think of the modern Christmas holiday, we may entertain ideas of family gatherings, special moments with dear friends, shopping, crowds, and the exchange of gifts. This is a busy time of year with many added responsibilities and demands on our time and treasure. We may feel a bit stretched or frustrated during the Christmas season, and may even be overwhelmed.

During these experiences of stress or discomfort, we can pause for a moment to imagine how it would feel if we were “away in a manger” and a character in that familiar story. The night sky is clear, and a blazing star shines overhead. The air is crisp and cool. There is no sound except for the occasional lowing of cattle or sheep, or the soft cooing of a newborn babe. All those in attendance on this blessed night are filled with peace and the promise of goodness and grace.

Contemplation upon the story of our Way Shower’s manifestation into physical reality reminds us that there is something within us that is greater than anything else in the outside world. By spending time in stillness and reflection, we realize that the peace of the Christ child is being rebirthed in the manger of our hearts.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”—Psalm 46:10 (rsv)

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The Peace of ChristBy Rev. Elise Cowan

Every week at Unity of Tyler we close the service by singing, “Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin With Me.” I always sing it with enthusiasm and I’ve been told, out of key. However, when I’m singing the song I truly mean it with all my heart. Nevertheless, as I go about my days, I often forget this central truth, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

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The traffic around the city increases as everybody prepares for their celebrations. The lines in the supermarket get longer, everything and everybody seem to be in a hurry to get things done, and I notice that the more I hurry, the longer things take.

During these moments when I remember that peace begins with me, I take a deep breath and relax. Jesus taught us in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

Jesus was teaching his disciples that peace begins when we decide to trust in the peace that is the Christ Presence within each of us.

As we celebrate this Christmas season let us remember to give our peace to the world. As we exude peace, we attract peace. As we wait in lines or in traffic, let us be the perpetrators of peace. Let us all wish peace for one another and the world. Let there be peace at Christmas and let it begin with me.

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.”—Colossians 3:15

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The Blessed PeacemakersBy Rev. Dinah Chapman

We can all be peacemakers. Peacemakers are everywhere and anywhere. They are those whose hearts are filled with God’s love and who look for the common good among all people. They support the ideas that are good for the whole. They are generous of heart. “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17).

We are peacemakers whenever we lay down the daggers and machetes in our minds that we secretly throw at our fellow citizens, family members, and anyone else we have “other-ized,” criticized, marginalized, or ostracized. We can lay down the stones that we were ready to cast at those who don’t believe as we do, or look like us, or talk like us.

Peacemakers look beyond their own self-interests, beyond tribal survivalist instincts to the infinite possibilities of creating the beloved community. We are peacemakers when we make peace within ourselves, for when we unconditionally accept and love ourselves, we gain more capacity to love and accept others. In this season, we give ourselves and others the gift of loving acceptance and open the channels of grace and peace for all.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” —Matthew 5:9

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Practicing the Presence, Practicing PeaceBy Rev. Jacquelyn J. Hawkins

God is always with us, but how do we know that? How do we know God—the Allness of the Universe? The divine energy that is foundational to all there is—the substance that supports us?

We know God by getting in touch with the mystery; by practicing the Presence.

And what does practicing the Presence mean? It means going within and communing with that which is fully divine. Communing with the Divine—communing with the most sacred part of ourselves—allows us to touch that which cannot be touched physically. Although not physical, it can bring forth in us the most joyful, amazing feelings, including calm, serenity, and peace.

Practicing the Presence, communing with the Divine, going within, and touching the stillness of our souls allow us to know God. And to know God is to experience peace.

In 2015 during the white stone ceremony at my church, Unity of the Heartland, I had an immediate experience of peace that would carry me through that eventful year. As I led the meditation, inviting Spirit to reveal a word of intention for the coming year, the word that was revealed to me was peace.

While I was surprised that my word came so quickly and clearly, I did not question that I could live within the word—Peace—for the year. And the year brought many opportunities for me

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to practice peace: Through the diagnosis and progression of osteoarthritis in my left hip, I had the opportunity to affirm my wholeness and to be at peace in the midst of physical pain. In moving from Schenectady, New York, to Overland Park, Kansas, and marketing and selling my house in Schenectady, I was grateful that I had the awareness to go within and commune with the Christ of my being—to practice the Presence.

Through the practice of the Presence, I have gained my strength and sense of balance. In practicing the Presence, I have known and practiced peace.

“And they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, ‘God is with us.’”—Matthew 1:23

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LOVETHIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENTDECEMBER 11, 2016

Meditation on LoveAt the heart of Jesus’ ministry was love—love for God, love for one another, love for self. When we center ourselves in love, everything changes.

As I connect with the Christ Presence in me, I naturally radiate more love into the world. My thoughts are loving, my words are loving, my actions are loving. I become the Christ in expression, beholding and honoring the Divine in all people and all of life.

Love is my natural state. I give love freely and receive love gratefully.

“Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.”—1 John 4:8

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Enter: Divine LoveBy Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks

We’ve reached the time of year when we begin to feel the wonder of Christmas love. As Santa Claus packs his sleigh, we’re invited to savor a mystical, metaphysical Christmas love story, told by the gospel writer Luke.

Enter: divine love—two women and an archangel. The first woman is Elizabeth, wife of Zechariah. She is pregnant—beyond the years of possibility, believing she’d never conceive—with a son to be named John, called the Baptizer. She’s six months along when the archangel Gabriel visits her cousin, a lovely young woman named Mary, and says, “Greetings, favored one. The Lord is with you. Do not fear, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

Mary nods and smiles, wondering what this means. When an archangel appears, something awesome is about to happen.

Gabriel tells her not to fear, which often in biblical stories isn’t as much about feeling afraid, as about being overwhelmed by a sense of awe and wonder. In that awe, Mary hears Gabriel say that she’ll conceive, in an inexplicable way, and give birth to a son she’ll name Jesus. Gabriel assures her that Jesus will receive the throne of his ancestor David and that his kingdom will be called great.

Through Gabriel, the writer of Luke also shares something else significant for Mary—and for us. God blesses Mary—and by extension all of us—with unconditional love, infinite compassion, and everlasting grace because that is God’s nature.

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God’s beneficence is a priceless gift we all receive. It’s always ours, even when we don’t completely understand it—which is often when we feel the awe.

Elizabeth and Mary choose—with faith and trust—to welcome divine love, even in the incomprehensible awe, without knowing how the rest of the journey will unfold. Both women willingly embrace divine love to give to their unborn children. Although they don’t fully understand, as archangel Gabriel says: “... Nothing will be impossible with God.”

So it is for us. Divine love awaits, to be born with us and within us. It illumines our souls and, as we go forth faithfully, our world.

© 2015—Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks. All rights reserved.

“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

—1 Corinthians 13:1

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Christ Light, Christ LoveBy Rev. Jacquelyn J. Hawkins

Love is what each of us is created from. This enables us to act from love rather than from anger, hate, or fear.

Once a young minister came into the church office a few days after the Father’s Day Sunday Service only to discover someone had pitched one of the exquisitely wrapped Father’s Day carnations into the trash. Her heart sank when she saw the still fresh-looking carnation in its original wrapping thrown away. But then, she realized the carnation was for her.

Immediately after church on Father’s Day, the minister had made a pastoral visit to a congregant who had been too ill to attend church services for many months. Upon arriving at the nursing facility, the minister gave the congregant the carnation she herself had received during the Father’s Day Service. Although she was enjoying the carnation herself, the minister knew the congregant would enjoy it and appreciate it in a different way. And, even though she would have liked to keep her carnation, she knew giving it away was the right thing to do.

By consciously acting from a loving part of herself, the minister also opened the way to receive love. As we give, we receive. Two days later, seeing from her Christ Light within enabled the minister to recognize the carnation in the trash as a gift of love rather than a rejection. It was a carnation to replace the one she had given away.

The Christ Light within always shows us the way of love.

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.” —John 13:34

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Love Is Expressed in Many Forms; Some Can Change Your LifeBy Rev. Margaret Flick

My mother always pulled out the stops for Christmas. The house was decorated with pine boughs and candles and decorations everywhere. It was how she expressed love. We baked cookies and dream bars and brought home the prettiest tree we could find. It was a joyous time at our house, no matter what was happening in our lives. It was my favorite time of year.

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In 2006 my view of Christmas changed. My 93-year-old father had Parkinson’s disease and was failing rapidly. He told me he would be dead by Christmas; he died on Christmas Day. That occurrence not only changed my Christmas, it changed my life. My father and I did not have an easy relationship so I never expected to have a profound spiritual experience with him. But I did.

As my father lay dying, I followed a Tibetan Buddhist ritual of meditation and forgiveness, and then I sent all the love in my heart to my father. Even in his “unconscious” state, I felt it returned to me. I experienced the most powerful love I have ever felt—there are no words to describe the intensity of this experience. I know now that there is no more powerful force in the universe than love. It goes beyond explanation, words, and feelings; it even reaches beyond what we call death.

My mother died a week later, which was no surprise, given that she and my dad were married for 65 years. Her love for him enabled her to let go and so she joined him. I was happy they were together even though that was the end of my “family.”

The way I celebrated the holidays changed after that. Now it is less about outer expressions of joy (the wonderful decorations and gifts) and more about the transcendent power of love.

For those who are grieving, the holidays can be challenging. We never get over our grief, but we can get through it. The pain lessens, but the love remains. The force field of love continues to connect us with those we love no matter where their spirit might be. Unity cofounder Charles Fillmore said, “Love, in Divine Mind, is the idea of universal unity. In expression, love is the power that joins and binds in divine harmony the universe and everything in it.” I know that to be true.

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We can express our love for those in our hearts by recreating their traditions or including them in ours by placing their pictures on the tree or creating a space for them at the table. We can light a candle symbolizing their light on this earth. We can give ourselves the gift of remembrance.

Our love can never dissipate, it only expands. Love is the most powerful force in the universe. All we have to do to tap into that force is to become still and know that the love is God. The love that is God exists within us and every creation on earth including those who have gone on to the next part of their journey. Christmas is in our hearts and we can always connect to loved ones through our love. Now and forever.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”—Mark 12:30

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One True LoveBy Rev. Angela Rhodes

Trees gently blowing in the wind. I hear the rustle of their leaves; I feel the warmth, comfort, and stability as I rest in the manger of this ever-present abiding love. Knowing the peaceful presence of nature, the masculine and feminine expression of love within and around me, I am born to be. Thank You, God.

We join with the baby Jesus as we are given the gifts of light, love, joy, and peace each day. The infancy of thought is birthed anew as we yield to the divine light of the guiding star within us and all around us, sourced by the peace and joy of everlasting life and love. Each day we are enfolded in the One True Love.

“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.”—1 Chronicles 16:34

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A Conscious Christmas By Rev. Mark Fuss

Love is like jam; you can’t spread even a little, without getting some on yourself.—Ian Lawton

One Christmas several years ago, I spent some time celebrating the season with my family. I stayed at my aunt and grandmother’s home and I had a wonderful time—two weeks of cooking, visiting, shopping, and playing Scrabble. What could go wrong?

Spiritual teacher Ram Dass once said, “If you think you are enlightened, go spend a week with your family.”

If you think about it, with your family you are spending time having your buttons pushed by the very people who installed them!

I consider myself a fairly awake, aware, and conscious individual—able to

observe conflict and respond appropriately. My seminary prep classes included an

exploration of The I of the Storm: Embracing Conflict, Creating Peace by Dr. Gary Simmons.

A key concept in this class was that “Nothing and

no one is against you.”

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Well, on that Christmas Eve when there were too many cooks in the kitchen, I found it hard to remember that. Just imagine—three generations, four cooks, one stovetop and lots of ideas of what I should be doing. It certainly felt like there were those who were against me. In that moment, I had the experience of being a 50-year-old child. It wasn’t pretty.

Later in the day when I had a quiet moment to myself, I reflected on that experience, observing and examining how I had felt in that moment. As I observed my feelings and my needs, I heard a whisper in my mind: “Nothing and no one is against you.” My mind turned to the three women who had been in the room earlier—Mother, Aunt, and Grandmother. I began to consider what their needs and feelings might have been. Ahhh ... They weren’t against me, but I had defaulted to a defensive posture. I was not coming from a place of love.

And then I thought: When do I stop reacting from my subconscious mind and live fully awake and aware, live consciously—choosing to respond from love? So I experience not just a conscious Christmas but a conscious life.

This Christmas, may we all spread love like jam. Let’s not react when our buttons are pushed, but respond from a place of love. Merry Christmas with love.

“If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.”—1 John 4:12

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No Matter the Question, Love Is the AnswerBy Rev. Elise Cowan

Several years ago I put “No matter the question, love is the answer” at the end of the emails I sent from my phone. Then I forgot about it, but my friends didn’t. They loved to tease me with it if they ever saw me frustrated about a person or situation. And I’m glad they did because it reminded me to get back to love.

It’s easy to remember love when the Christmas season approaches. John 3:16 tells us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

When I was a child, I was taught this verse during the Christmas season. I learned that Jesus is the reason for the season, and we give each other gifts as a way to celebrate God giving us Jesus.

But I now look at this verse differently. In Unity we learn that God doesn’t just love the world, God is love. Jesus came to teach us how to love, how to express God’s love into the world around us. From Mark 12:30-31: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second [greatest commandment] is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Now, more than any other time of my life, I find myself around people of multiple faiths, cultures, and races. Jesus instructed us to love them, to be the love we want to see in the world. When

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I choose to see people and situations through the eyes of love, all judgment falls away. As I engulf them in love, I feel God’s presence in my own life.

This holiday season I invite you to adorn your heart with love in any and all situations. It is easy to get caught up in all the holiday to-do lists, but when we remember that Love is the answer to all questions, all judgments fall away. And feel free to remind me of this if I ever forget!

“And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”—1 Corinthians 13:13

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JOYFOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENTSUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2016

Meditation on JoyThe news of the birth of a Messiah brought joy to the people of Israel. That joy gave them hope and that hope gave them strength to carry on.

Joy is a gift of the spirit. It enables me to see the best in every situation and be grateful for everything that happens in my life. Joy is my life raft when I feel surrounded by the seas of change or adversity. Joy turns my attention away from the problem and quickens my spirit to reveal the truth that God is in every situation. Through joy, I bring forth the blessing that awaits me.

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.’”—Luke 2:10

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JoyBy Rev. Rachel Simpson

The fall after graduating from college I received an internship in stage management with one of the big theatre houses in Chicago. This was a big step in the direction of my dreams, so I moved from Washington State to Chicago to see what my future held.

The show was an adaptation of A Christmas Carol. When rehearsals began in late October I started to get in the Christmas mood. It was exciting. I was pursuing my dreams and surrounded by great people. The actors and crew really believed in the story they were telling, of the ability to change, to have compassion, to share, to celebrate.

I had much to learn as an intern—theatre at this scale was so different from what I had experienced in college. While my mentors were excellent and seasoned professionals, this show full of caring and joy seemed to have an influence on the atmosphere as well. It was wonderful and I learned more than I could have imagined.

However, after the show opened around Thanksgiving, my work as an intern was complete. This soft landing of community and holiday spirit at the theatre was no longer accessible. I was in a new city, I was still finding my church home, and I was three days by car away from my family instead of the three hours I had been in college. (This was before unlimited long-distance calls and Skype helped bridge the distance.)

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It was the first time I had to consciously consider how to find the celebration in Christmas. That first winter, Chicago seemed much different than what I was used to. It wasn’t very comforting, but it gave me a chance for a deeper understanding of who I was and what I could do.

I called home and asked my dad to fax me a copy of the Advent ritual my family followed, which I practiced each week by myself. I found a CD of the Christmas music I had grown up with. I painted snow people on my apartment windows. I embraced finding new traditions in my new city. I cried tears of missing my family and enjoyed the new experiences. I learned about my own strength.

It’s been 12 years since that first Christmas “away.” I’ve been a newcomer to a town twice since then. It was easier after the first time because I learned that the joy of Christmas isn’t in a particular tradition or location or family member. The joy of Christmas is in the laughter of children playing and the young artist creating presents for their family. The joy of Christmas is in passing on traditions and reconnecting with loved ones.

The greatest joy for me at Christmas is the lesson in A Christmas Carol: that we belong to each other. At Christmas, people seem to remember that caring for and loving one another are the pathways to happiness. If you pay attention, you can see the evidence wherever you go.

In A Christmas Carol, Tiny Tim famously said, “God bless us, everyone.” I offer an edit to that memorable line: “We are blessed because we know we are all one.”

That is the joy of Christmas.

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”—Luke 2:14

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A Prayer of Joy By Rev. Frieda King

Joy rejoices in me and announces its continuous presence of revitalization—physical and emotional. Joy causes my heart to sing and renews my happiness and contentment.

I align with the quiet and tranquil, feeling joy enliven inwardly. In the stillness I feel peace and remember my wholeness.

I sit in the quietude now …

I live in Joy and tap into the flow of divine exuberance, giving joy full reign and room to be and give through my voice, feelings, and actions in this moment and beyond.

In thankfulness and joy, I am deeply grateful. Amen.

“I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”—John 15:11

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The Joy of ChristmasBy Rev. Dr. Richard Belous

When my oldest son, Joshua, was not yet 3 years old, we lived in Northern Virginia outside of Washington, D.C. We decided to visit Grandma, who lived in New York City, for Christmas.

Just think of the miracle of Christmas through Josh’s young eyes as he gets to see New York City all decked out in its Christmas best, I said to myself. He will be amazed by Rockefeller Center and the 10-story tall Christmas tree. I can just see the twinkle in his eyes as he looks at the department store windows and their special Christmas displays. St. Patrick’s Cathedral, with its stained-glass windows, candles, and Christmas decorations will dazzle Josh, I thought.

But when we went around New York City with its Christmas glow, Josh was not impressed in the least. When we got to Rockefeller Center, he seemed to look everywhere except at the Christmas tree. The crowds in front of the department store windows were not to Josh’s liking. For my son, St. Patrick’s Cathedral was about as much fun as waiting at the doctor’s office for a shot.

As we walked into one of the department stores and waited by an elevator, I was feeling frustrated. When the elevator arrived a big light went on and a chime sounded. Josh was mesmerized by the elevator light, the chime, and the elevator. He insisted that we ride up and down many times in the elevator, which was decorated with Christmas lights. Christmas music was playing in the elevator. The Christmas joy I expected Josh to find in Rockefeller Center was found inside of a department store elevator.

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Over the years I have reflected on this experience many times. I often think I know right where Christmas joy will hit me. I think I know where I have to be and what I have to do to feel the Christmas spirit. However, it seldom works out that way. Instead, the joy of Christmas comes when I least expect it, in the most unexpected ways.

“For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”—Romans 14:17

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Tidings of Great Joy By Rev. Mark Fuss

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people’” (Lk. 2:10). As I reread the Christmas story in the Gospel of Luke, the verse comes alive for me. I think of the angels throughout my life who have come bringing tidings of great joy. They are friends, family members, and even strangers who have brought light to dark times in my life. These angels saw through my fears to the light in me and called me higher.

Charles Fillmore wrote in The Revealing Word that an angel is, “A messenger of God ... the word of Truth” helping us to “overcome all limited beliefs and conditions.”

My angels are those who have called me out of my fears, whether a dark hole I dug for myself or a situation that made me feel less than whole. Fear not, they said, I’m here to remind you how much you’re truly loved.

This Christmas, ask yourself: Who are the angels in my life bringing me tidings of great joy—who see the truth of my being

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and love me unconditionally? Where in my life is fear clouding my sight? What limiting thought or belief is keeping me from experiencing great joy?

In the hustle and bustle of the season it can be easy to listen to the subtle whispers of fear: Not enough, not loved, not enough, not loved. Listen instead to the angels in your life bringing tidings of great joy. They are here to remind you—you are enough, you are loved, you are light.

I’m here to remind you of your magnificence, To help you wake to all the wonder that you are. I long to show you all the joy you’re worthy of. I’m here to remind you how much you’re truly loved.

(LYRICS BY DAVID AULT)

And who will you be an angel for this Christmas? Who will you remind, saying, “Fear not, I bring you tidings of great joy”?

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen ...”—Luke 2:20

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Count It All JoyBy Rev. Margaret Flick

Being fully present to the silence and beauty of the first snowfall, looking upon the face of a child excited for Christmas, or feeling one with All That Is—these are joy.

Are joy and happiness different? For some joy goes deeper and is a state of being unaffected by outside influences. For others, they are the same. What matters is that we allow ourselves to stop, reflect, and be present to what is, and we will experience joy.

Joy is the culmination of faith, peace, and love. Joy is about connection to God/Source/Allness and the resulting gratefulness. Christmas is a time of connection not only to our family and friends but to all those across the world who celebrate the birth of Jesus as well as other religious and spiritual traditions.

When we let go of the doing and allow ourselves to experience just being, we truly experience the joy within us.

“This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”—Luke 2:12

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CHRISTMAS EVESATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2016

Good News of Great JoyBy Rev. Dinah Chapman

When I witnessed the birth of my little grandnephew, I was so excited to see his little fingers and toes, his blinking eyes, and big, wide yawns. It brought tears to my eyes as I shouted to my niece, “You did it! You did it!” When I held his little swaddled body in my arms, I could feel the warmth of his body through the hospital blankets. It was an amazing feeling, a feeling of joy … a sense of everything being exactly as it should be, a sense of an abiding love. Completion and fulfillment are also words that convey joy. Joy is like knowing in a split second that everything is all right.

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When I think of the blessings in my life, a sense of gratitude and joy comes over me. But do I need to have something wonderful happen before I experience joy? I think not.

True joy is the natural expression of gladness from within our hearts as we open up to God’s love. God’s love is expressed as all the goodness in our lives, seen and unseen.

The more we express joy, the more we see manifestations of love all around us.

We don’t have to wait for something to happen to feel joy. We can choose joy anytime by holding expectant, jubilant thoughts of abundant life and love, regardless of circumstances. As we focus on all the good in our lives and in our world, we see even more good being expressed. When we announce the good news to every part of our being and allow our Christ Light to shine, the fullness of joy radiates out to bless all those around us.

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!”

—Psalm 98:4 (rsv)

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CHRISTMAS DAYSUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2016

Being New—The Annual Birthing of the Christ WithinBy Betsy Giunti

Christmas is more than the traditional celebration of Jesus’ birth. Metaphysically, it represents the birth of the Christ within.

The Christ is the highest expression of God in humankind. It refers to a consciousness and energy that existed in potential even before Jesus’ time, but Jesus brought it into full manifestation. Advent is a time for us to rediscover and rebirth the Christ in us.

In our daily lives, it is easy to get stuck on our spiritual journey. We reach plateaus and become

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comfortable. An annual birthing of the Christ within means that we are able to see things new.

I was recently at a restaurant with my husband and near us was a tiny girl eating an apple for the first time. Her face showed all the intricate expressions of how she felt about it. First she was confused by the texture, then she liked how it tasted, then she thought about it some more. Each bite, each moment, was fresh and new. She had never had an apple before. Every bite was full of the willingness to see things in a different light.

Birthing the Christ within each year means that we are able to see and feel our spiritual path in a completely new way. When things are new, we see them through new eyes, experience them in new ways. Advent gives us a chance to look at our spiritual practices and ask ourselves: What is being birthed in me now? How can I experience the Christ within on a deeper level?

I think of the Advent calendar as the countdown to a great birth within me. The Christ that is being birthed within me is greater than anything I have ever experienced. Regardless of what I have already seen and the blessings I have already received, this Christmas season is a chance to see things anew. It is a chance to open myself to the full expression of the Christ within me.

Christmas is more than a celebration when we listen to carols and put up holiday decorations. These outer activities are simply reminders for calling forth the Christ in us. The energy and consciousness of the Christ are already within us. As we see with new eyes, we bring them into fuller expression. We are reborn, restored, and renewed!

“To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”—Luke 2:11

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Where Do We Go From Here?By Rev. Ed Townley

Our Advent season is complete and Christmas is finally at hand. We are giving spiritual birth, within our hearts and minds, to a new dimension of light. So what’s next? How are we to allow that light to express through us into this mortal realm? Where do we go from here?

The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide or Christmastide, is a festive Christian season celebrating the birth of Jesus beginning on Christmas Day. It is a sacred time leading up to the Epiphany, or the visitation of the Magi, on January 6.

The number 12 has great spiritual significance. From the Twelve Tribes to the twelve disciples, the universe provides ample evidence that expressing our spiritual Truth can best be accomplished by bringing an awareness of 12 essential elements into our newly enlightened consciousness. Unity describes these elements as Twelve Powers, all aspects of the Christ that is our true spiritual Self.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

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So let’s allow another tradition—the twelve days of Christmas—to guide us into the energies of a brand-new year with a renewed appreciation of the spiritual qualities that are our birthright.

Of the gifts traditionally associated with the twelve days of Christmas, five of the first six involve birds—in fact, we receive more than 250 birds by the end of the twelve days! Metaphysically, birds symbolize divine ideas, flying freely “across the dome of the sky” (Gen. 1:20), bringing a realm of infinite possibility as they alight in our lives. It’s an important realization, then, that the new Light of Christmas will first express in our lives in the realm of ideas.

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THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMASMONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2016

Faith“On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me a partridge in a pear tree.”

According to your faith be it done to you.—Matthew 9:29 (rsv)

Despite their presence here, partridges don’t nest in trees, and they rarely fly. They remain calmly in their earthbound nests, firm in their faith that they are supported by the ground beneath them.

Faith is the first of our Twelve Powers, the heart of Jesus’ teaching, the cornerstone of spiritual Truth. In the new Light of Christmas we accept the joy—and challenge!—of building upon our faith in the divine purpose that brings our eternal spiritual Self into this mortal experience.

I AM devoting this day to remembering, expressing, and experiencing the spiritual Truth of which I AM

a perfect expression.

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THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMASTUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2016

Strength“On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.”

“Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength.” —Luke 22:43

As we move through the twelve days, each gift includes, and is built upon, every gift that has gone before. Divine ideas flow freely, and their manifestations through our creative power are

rich and varied.

Turtle doves are traditionally loving and peaceful, confident of their role in the universe. The focus for this second day is Strength, and

in these gentle birds we see strength combined with compassion—a strength that does not need to express as aggression or meaningless displays of

brute force.

Through Faith we know ourselves to be One with the infinite Strength of the Divine. However daunting the day’s challenges may appear to be, we can achieve, heal, and overcome in the certainty that our spiritual energy will always be adequate for the task.

I AM One with infinite spiritual strength. I express that strength with love and compassion as I move through a

day of creative opportunities.

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THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMASWEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2016

Discernment“On the third day of Christmas my true love sent to me three French hens …”

My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.—Psalm 49:3 (rsv)

The word discernment rarely appears in the Bible, but the spiritual Truth behind the word is pervasive throughout—especially in the teachings of Jesus. Through spiritual discernment we are empowered to see clearly in this often confusing human experience.

The French hens will not fly away; they are domesticated. Their presence in consciousness is a constant reminder that our every choice must be made from the Presence within us of compassionate discernment.

Discernment is not judgment; it is not our job to declare anyone or anything to be “good” or “bad.” Our spiritual discernment allows us to recognize the most efficient and effective use of our spiritual energy—the choices that move us toward the kingdom of heaven that lives within us, eager to express.

I gratefully and lovingly trust in the gi� of spiritual discernment for every choice I AM asked to make as this day unfolds and my expression of the kingdom continues

to expand.

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THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMASTHURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2016

Love“On the fourth day of Christmas my true love sent to me four calling birds …”

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”—Matthew 5:44

Love is more than a spiritual power; love is the Power of Spirit. Love is really another name for the Christ—the Power that includes all power. It is the essence of who we truly are; it is the creative energy we are here to experience, express, and share. The calling birds sing joyfully, expressing the Power of Love with every note.

Love offers an infallible measurement of all our actions and choices. Through Faith, Strength, and Discernment we easily make choices that are centered in the Love that is our true identity. Love is the only appropriate choice for everything we may experience.

I AM infinite Love, and I AM infinitely loving. Love is the energy that moves me through this mortal experience.

It is the source for every choice I make. It is the gi� I offer to everyone I meet.

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THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMASFRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016

Power“On the fi�h day of Christmas my true love sent to me five golden rings …”

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.—Daniel 2:20

We have just realized that Love and Power are spiritually synonymous. A golden ring is a symbol of temporal power; together five rings remind us of the spiritual power we must wield over the input of our five senses. They offer important information about this mortal realm. But they are never the source of spiritual Truth.

The “wisdom and power” that Daniel describes, and the “power of the Most High” that the angel promises Mary, must find expression through us. Ours is the Power of Creation itself, and it is never lacking.

I AM a perfect expression of the infinite Power of the Divine. I extend that power wisely and lovingly, conscious that through me it is healing and transforming the world.

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THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMASSATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2016

Imagination“On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me six geese a-laying …”

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.—Proverbs 23:7 (kjv)

With the gift of Imagination we expand our focus from the realm of divine ideas to the ways in which these gifts can manifest in our lives, and in the world we create together. Here the divine ideas are a-laying according to the choices we make from the rich gift of Imagination.

We use our Imagination every time we make a choice based on what we believe, and on what we believe the outcome will be. If we choose to believe that the worst possible result will always occur, that will become our experience. If instead we fuel our Imagination with the gifts of Faith, Love, Strength, and Power, and if we maintain spiritual mastery over the input from our senses, we will know the joy of fulfilling our spiritual purpose.

Today I pause to imagine the life I AM led to live for myself, and for the world. I know this vision is mine to

achieve. I blend my Imagination with Faith and Love, and I express the Power to create new possibilities.

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THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMASSUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2017

Understanding“On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me seven swans a-swimming …”

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with

gentleness born of wisdom.”—James 3:13

Like 12, the number seven seems important to our individual and collective spiritual awakening. It appears frequently in the Bible, from the seven days of Creation in Genesis to the seven letters to seven churches in the Revelation to John. Here seven swans, birds of grace and power, represent the calm, steady power of Understanding.

We are using our spiritual power of Understanding when, for even the briefest of moments, we appreciate the world through the “eyes” of Spirit. Understanding is a power of perception that allows us to know always that Good is expressing.

I AM choosing to embrace Understanding as “the meditation

of my heart.” Whatever may unfold in my life today, I understand as

Spirit that it is all Good!

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THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMASMONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

Will“On the eighth day of Christmas my true love sent to me eight maids a-milking …”

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.—Matthew 6:10

To bring the kingdom into expression is the only Will. It is Will that brings us into human form in the first place. Bringing the kingdom of heaven into expression is our purpose, and now our passion. Will calls us into the realm of

action. Just as the eight maids are doing exactly what milkmaids do, so we exercise our spiritual Will to do what we are here to do, individually and collectively. We “milk” the present moment, eager to transform it into an expression of the kingdom.

I AM One with the Will that achieves its purpose through me. Free of all reluctance

and resistance, I joyfully undertake the work that is mine to do.

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THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMASTUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

Order“On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me nine ladies dancing …”

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.—Ecclesiastes 3:1

The feminine aspects of our divine nature are essential to the work of creating the kingdom. The nine ladies dancing express their creative power as dance—an orderly movement through time and space. So it is for us. We need not rush ahead, and we cannot lag behind. Shakespeare wisely wrote that “there is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.” When we allow divine order to guide us, our lives are always at the flood, always moving us forward in an orderly way.

I AM relaxed and at peace, grateful that my life is unfolding in good

Order as I allow the flow of Spirit to carry me forward.

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THETENTH DAY OF CHRISTMASWEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2017

Zeal“On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me ten lords a-leaping …”

Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.—Romans 12:11

These leaping lords are an appropriate representation of the Power of Zeal. We don’t know of any reason for their leaping; they seem to simply “jump for joy.”

The first nine of the twelve days have helped us see ever more clearly the unique spiritual purpose that is to be served by the newborn dimension of Light we prepared for through Advent and celebrated at Christmas. It’s a purpose we create with Imagination and Order, and achieve with Love and Understanding. Now we are called to more. If we are truly to “serve the Lord”—to center all our choices and actions in our true spiritual identity as the Christ—we must “let it be done with zeal.”

Tepid commitments produce anemic results. The creative process that will bring about the kingdom requires our enthusiastic participation. How can we not sizzle with Zeal as we embrace the Twelve Powers that are our construction tools, entrusted to our care with such confidence!

Today I explore my creative purpose with enthusiasm. I approach every choice with confidence and zeal.

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THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMASTHURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017

Elimination“On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me eleven pipers piping …”

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.—Luke 4:18

The new Light we affirmed and experienced at Christmas is the Power that will achieve our creative spiritual purpose. Each of the 10 preceding days has allowed us to claim a different aspect of that Power. They are tools for joining Jesus in the great work he describes (quoting Isaiah) above.

Now we turn to another aspect of that Power to remove any lingering shadows, so the Light can shine through freely. As we are constantly creating ourselves anew, there will always be fears, old beliefs, perhaps even relationships that resist the Light. They may be very familiar, very comfortable; but they need to be lovingly released through the Power of Elimination.

Just as the sometimes dissonant sound made by these 11 pipers dissolves and fades when it has served its creative purpose, so must we release all dissonance in consciousness, allowing the bright Light of Truth to fully shine.

I AM always in the flow of infinite spiritual energy. All that I need today flows to me now. All that no longer serves my

spiritual purpose flows easily away.

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EPIPHANYTHE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017

Life“On the twel�h day of Christmas my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree, two turtle doves, three French hens, four calling birds, five golden rings, six geese a-laying, seven swans a-swimming, eight maids a-milking, nine ladies dancing, ten lords a-leaping, eleven pipers piping, twelve drummers drumming.”

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. —John 10:10

What the 12 drummers are drumming is the very rhythm of Life—Life lived in full awareness and expression of the Christ—the new dimension of Light we welcomed at Christmas and have been exploring through the 12 days leading us to Epiphany. Most of the people who came to the manger saw a beautiful human baby. The Three Wise Men saw, with spiritual vision, an infinite Light with the potential to change the world.

On this twelfth day of Christmas we see the same potential in each other, and in ourselves. We move forward to the rhythm of Life, equipped with all the powers we need to achieve our spiritual intentions.

Today I give thanks for the spiritual gi�s I hold in consciousness and express in my life. The Twelve Powers are my constant resource as I move forward to create the

kingdom of heaven.

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