As 2020 ends, we are reminded of the challenges we faced: both unique and long standing: The Pandemic; the election; Black lives not mattering; Women not valued; Illnesses, immigrants in camps; children separated from their parents; effects of climate change and the death penalty.
We ask God to help us in our fight for justice. We are also reminded of our progress: the vaccine; new leadership; and our wonderful expansion of our inclusive community thru Zoom.
Reading: (Christine Sine)
God as this new year dawns, may we take time to see the newness you are giving birth to.
May we not be blinded by the darkness that consumes our world.
Or consumed by the fear that paralyzes our actions.
May we remember,
That out of winters’ darkness you bring forth light,
That out of winter’s death you give birth to new life.
May we remember,
That which has been dormant will spring to life,
That which has been pruned will sprout new strength,
May we remember,
You are the light by which we see,
You are the fountain that gives us life.
God as this new year emerges,
May we give birth to that which honors you,
May we bring to life that which allows your goodness to shine,
May we give fresh expression to your eternal world,
And in the depths of our hearts may we cry,
Your kin-don come,
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Reflection time
Prayers of Petition: (Garth Hewitt)
God it is a new year full of new opportunities
We ask forgiveness for the past
And make resolutions for the future.
May we show your love and live your way
May we take time to pause and draw strength
And let our souls catch up
And be refreshed through the year
May we show your love and live your way.
May we remember the poor and forgotten
The marginalized and the weak
And find ways to show your compassion
May we show your love and live your way
May the healing hope of the gospel be integral to our lives
So that the ways of justice and peace are reflected in us
May we show your love and live your way
May we take time to see the beauty of your world -
To see the beauty of trees, flowers, birds and animals-
To cherish them and work for the sustaining of our garden home-
So that we leave it in good state for generations to come
May we show your love and live your way.
May our hearts be refreshed by joy, music, creativity, love and hope
So we in turn can bring hope and joy to others
Throughout this year may we show your love and live your way
Closing Prayer: (parts taken from--Fr. Richard Vosko--in his Gaudete Sunday sermon)
In 2021, may we see that: Black lives Will matter: Women will be recognized for who they are. Immigrant children held in detention centers will be freed.Prisoners will be treated with respect. Sick people will be well again. God, in us, and around us, gives us something to be joyful about after all.
Welcome- Today is traditionally known as Holy Family Sunday.Let’s expand this a little and declare today is Cosmic Family Sunday, our human family is part of the Cosmic Universe. Each of us is part of the gospel story, and each of us a part of the first reading too. “Here we are every one of us, thirteen billion years in the making.” We are all included in the Incarnation. Let us begin with praying our opening song:
O Holy One, “You ever enfold us in the power of your boundless love, according to your Promise to us; You have implanted the Divine Seed in every heart, a Treasure beyond words. Teach us to nurture that Seed so it might blossom into fullness and maturity.”Amen
LITURGY OF THE WORD
(Lynn K)
A reading from Prayers for Progressive Christians
Here we are every one of us, thirteen billion years in the making!
Here we are every one of us, bringing the universe to conscious awareness.
Here we are, conscious of a s story about humanity unknown before our lifetimes.
In us and in every human person, the energy that drives the ever-expanding universe is incarnated.
Every one of us is the human expression of a Great Mystery beyond all human concepts, a Mystery given many names in many religions.
We have but one chance, one lifetime to be the best human expression each of us can be of the Great Mystery that underpins everything in existence.
We acknowledge the challenge of living true to our innate grandness, the difficulty of being the best we can be.
We look to those who have lived before us for the best paths to follow for wisdom for guidance.
Wise voices, both before us and in the present have realized that the way to be the best person we can be, is already within us.
It is already in our minds and hearts, because it is embedded in every particle, in every atom, in every molecule, in every cell, In every living organism.
It is the universal way, the embedded pattern in all things; the way of co-operation, of working together of mutual recognition and respect of contributing of giving and receiving of creativity and growth. At the deepest level of our being we know this is the way.
These are the inspired words of Michael Morwood, a disciple of Jesus.The community affirms these words with AMEN!
Alleluia
Gospel (Luke 3: 12-21)
(Diane G)
A reading from the Gospel of Luke
When it came time for them to be purified, as laid down by the Law of Moses, the couple took Jesus up to Jerusalem and presented him to God. For it is written in the Law of our God, “Every firstborn heir is to be consecrated to God.” They likewise came to offer in sacrifice “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” in accord with the dictate of the Law of our God.
Now there lived in Jerusalem a man named Simeon.He was devout and just, anticipating the consolation of Israel, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. She had revealed to Simeon that he would not see death until he had seen the Messiah of God. Prompted by her, Simeon came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child to perform the customary rituals of the Law, he took the child in his arms and praised God saying, “Now, O God, you can dismiss your servant in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the peoples to see—a light of revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.
As the child’s mother and father stood there marveling at the things that were being said.Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, the mother. “This child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that is rejected, so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare. And a sword will pierce your heart as well.”
There was a woman named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was also a prophet. She had lived a long life, seven years with her husband, and then as a widow to the age of 84. She never left the Temple, worshipping day and night, fasting and praying.Coming up at that moment, she gave thanks to God and talked about the child to all who anticipated the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When the couple had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the Law of God, they returned to Galilee and their own town of Nazareth.The child grew in size and strength.He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was with him.
These are the inspired words of Luke, a disciple of Jesus. The community affirms these words with AMEN!
Shared Homily
Today we hear in the gospel one more story of the early family life of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. We know this gospel story, as all the early stories of Jesus, was created based on what was known of Jewish religious culture at that time. It was expected therefore assumed Mary and Joseph would go to the temple to participate in the ritual of purification and consecrate their firstborn to God.Rituals then as now are so important. Rituals connect us to community, to family, and to one another. Rituals connect the realm of the sacred to the realm of the profane. Everything is holy. For the Jews the ritual of purification is a sign of a new beginning. It connects perfectly with consecrating a newborn to God. You and I have many rituals this time of year as we remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus.Jesus is a sign of a new beginning for all of us.
The gospel story says Simeon and Anna both told Joseph and Mary their child was special, destined for great things.We really do not know if this story is accurate but we do know for sure Jesus is special as all children are special. We watch our children and other children grow and we hope and pray they will be destined for great things too. I think we have forgotten that our parents, grandparents, caregivers, looked at each of us when we were born and saw our specialness.Even today people, like Simeon and Anna come into our lives and help us recognize our own unique specialness.
What makes us special? Not our good looks, or talents, or gifts, or our good deeds and actions but rather we are each special because we have the Divine Seed within. As Morwood says the seed, the energy of God is “embedded in every particle, in every atom, in every molecule…..it is the embedded pattern in all things.” We are part of the Great Mystery, the wonderful Cosmic Universe, incarnated for us, our very own Sacred Cosmic Family.
The idea of being part of a Cosmic Family sounds wonderful. But of course, living in a family is so much more than wonderful feelings. We have a responsibility “to be the best human expression each of us can be.”Morwood reminds us that “living true to our innate grandness is challenging and difficult.” Life was not easy for Joseph, Mary and Jesus-life is not easy for us but we are never alone in the struggle.We are part of the incarnation, the energy of God.
The rituals of Mary and Joseph come out of the experiences of an oppressed and marginalized people. This week African Americans celebrate the rituals of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa also comes out of the experiences of an oppressed and marginalized people. Kwanzaa is the celebration of life and first harvests in the home. Each day has a designated principal. Today is kujichagulia which is a call to self-determination to define and name ourselves, to create and speak for ourselves. As Michael Morwood reminded us, we all have the responsibility to create our own unique contribution to the human family and our communities. Kwanzaa celebrates the truths of creation and connection to the Divine Creator calling each of us to the conscious awareness of our individual and collective incarnation. We are truly all one Sacred Cosmic Family.
Deven: Please join in praying our Statement of Faith
Statement of Faith (Deb T)
We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery beyond all definition and rational understanding, the heart of all that has ever existed, that exists now, or that ever will exist.
We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word, bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion, bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus as a vehicle of divine love, a source of wisdom and truth, and an instrument of peace in the world.
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One, the life that is our innermost life, the breath moving in our being, the depth living in each of us.
We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now, stretched out all around us for those with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it, and hands to make it happen.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Deven: As we prepare for our sacred meal, we bring to our eucharistic table the prayerful intentions of the community.
And we pray for all unspoken intentions. Amen.
Kathie: With open hands and grateful hearts let us pray our Eucharistic Prayer as one: (written by Jay Murnane)
O Holy One, you are continually creating the universe, continually giving birth to all of us. We sense the need to do the same, to set ourselves free from a sense of emptiness and barren hopelessness.
We celebrate you as the Source of light and life and love, and we celebrate your presence and all-ways care. We give thanks, and join with your vision of harmony and peace, we sing:
Your wisdom invites us to draw on our tradition, as old as the stars, shining through Sarah and Abraham, Simeon and Anna, shining through your prophets in every age and every culture. We join that enlightening, enlivening tradition with what we are as we risk fidelity to a dream.
Deven:Filled with your spirit, we, like Jesus, can give birth in our day to your living word for the sake of hope enfleshed in creativity and confrontation, healing and reconciliation, justice, universal and unconditional love.
On the night before he faced his own death, Jesus sat at the table with his companions and friends.He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly with them, he bent down and washed their feet.
(All lift bread)
When he returned to his place, he took the bread, spoke the grace, broke the bread and offered it to the saying Take and eat, this is my very self.
(All lift cup)
Then he took the cup of blessing, spoke the grace and offered it to them saying: Take and drink of the covenant. Made new again through my life in you. Whenever you remember me like this, I am among you.(pause)
What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives. As we share communion, we become communion, both love’s nourishment and love’s challenge.
We are one Cosmic Holy Family.Please receive communion.
O Holy One, we dare again to dream the ancient dreams and open ourselves to marvelous visions. There are mountains of arrogance to lower, valleys of fear and separation to fill in, to create a community and communion that stretches throughout our consciousness and around our world.
In this way, working to renew the face of the earth, we are opened up to your Spirit, the Spirit of light and life and love born in Jesus.
For it is standing where he stood and for what he stood, we are united in your Spirit,blessing you with our lives. Amen
Kathie: Let us pray the prayer Jesus taught us:
O Holy one who is within, around and among us. We celebrate your many names. Your wisdom come; your will be done, unfolding from the depths within us. Each day you give us all that we need. You remind us of our limits and we let go. You support us in our power, and we act with courage. For you are the dwelling place within us, the empowerment around us, and the celebration among us, now and forever, Amen.
Adapted by Miriam Therese Winter
BLESSING
Deven: Let us pray together our blessing:
May we come to know the reflection of the Divine in ourselves and in our global family. May we nurture and grow the Divine seed in ourselves so that love, steadfast kindness, and wisdom will find a home in all human hearts.Amen!
Please join in singing our closing song.
Sound Forth the News That Wisdom Comes was Joy to the World
Sound forth the news that Wisdom comes to bring new life to birth. Arise with hope, Her labor join, and peace shall fill the earth, and peace shall fill the earth, and peace, and peace shall fill the earth.
No more let fear and custom hide the path of Wisdom fair. She leads the way to life and joy, with gifts for all to share, with gifts for all to share, with gifts, with gifts for all to share.
Joyful are we who heed the call of Wisdom in our souls. With Her we break oppression’s wall, so love may freely flow, so love may freely flow, so love, so love may freely flow.
Crown Wisdom Queen of heaven and earth; Her reign will set us free. Fling wide the gates that all may come join hands and dance with glee, join hands and dance with glee, join hands, join hands and dance with glee.
Kim:Welcome - Good evening and Merry Christmas to all our friends near and far. We gather together tonight in a way that is new, during a time that is unprecedented in most of our lives. This Christmas Eve we come together to celebrate the rebirth of Light. This Light is the eternal Christ, the hope living in each of us. Because of our current shared and individual realities, we cannot be on happy holiday “autopilot” this year. In the words of poet and spiritual teacher Edwina Gateley, “Our invitation is to look deeper than we do, to intuit and honor what so often lies beneath a surface of denial, anger and diminishment, grace pulsing to break through” (from Soul Sisters). We begin by calling on the Four Directions. This practice, common to the First Nations People is particularly significant tonight. Let us remember that, like Miriam, Mother of Jesus, many native mothers in this country have been refugees, giving birth as exiles, oppressed and in poverty. The Trail of Tears, the southern border of the US, rejected unwed teens, the homeless and the displaced are all Miriam’s. All have brought life into this world under conditions many of us could only imagine. So, let us begin our celebration of the Light that is pulsing to break though.
Calling in the Four Directions ~Proclaimed by: Dennis McDonald, Mary Brandon, Denise Hackert-Stoner and Jim Marsh; Drum ~ Suzanne O’Connor
Suzanne:In Inka, Hopi, Tibetan, Mayan, and other indigenous societies throughout the world, the elders carry on the tradition of gathering around a fire when the moon is full and dreaming of a world that they’d want their children’s children to inherit. On that evening, they quietly arrive in a circle of dreamers, knowing that while what they have to offer is just a tiny piece of the larger puzzle, it’s important that they show up with love and intent and participate in the dreaming process.
South - Dennis To the winds of the South Great Serpent Wrap your coils of light around us Teach us to shed the past the way you shed your skin To walk softly on the Earth Teach us the Beauty Way
West - Mary To the winds of the West Mother Jaguar Protect our medicine space Teach us the way of peace, to live impeccably Show us the way beyond death
North - Denise To the winds of the North Hummingbird, Grandmothers and Grandfathers Ancient Ones Come and warm your hands by our fires Whisper to us in the wind We honor you who have come before us And you who will come after us, our children’s children
East - Jim To the winds of the East Great Eagle, Condor Come to us from the place of the rising Sun Keep us under your wing Show us the mountains we only dare to dream of Teach us to fly wing to wing with the Great Spirit
Mother Earth - Denise We’ve gathered for the honoring of all of your children The Stone People, the Plant People The four-legged, the two-legged, the creepy crawlers The finned, the furred, and the winged ones All our relations
Father Sun - Jim Father Sun, Grandmother Moon, to the Star Nations Great Spirit, you who are known by a thousand names And you who are the unnamable One Thank you for bringing us together And allowing us to sing the Song of Life
~ Adapted by Dr. Albert Villoldo, PhD and Shaman
Opening Song: Breath of Heaven – sung by Joan Horgan
Written by Christopher Neville Eaton and Amy Lee Grant
Kim:Opening Prayer:We join together on this sacred night in the presence of the Holy One and of one another. Let us allow our hearts and minds to be illuminated by the words we will hear read, the words to be sung and the sharing among us. We welcome the light which illuminates the darkness within and around us. We celebrate the eternal rebirth of the Christ Light. Amen
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Reading 1:Written and Read by Edwina Gateley
And so you carried life for the world, Mary, as you fled, to protect that very life from threats of death. Joining the world's mass of displaced people you became Refugee, Alien, Immigrant, Homeless, and settled in a foreign land-- the only place to safely nurture your fragile dream. Like so many other women who flee violence, clutching their babies, you crossed the border defining you a stranger, dependent on foreign aid, welfare and hand-outs-- the charity of others-- to feed the Son of God.
We celebrate tonight God-with-us beyond our words, beyond our images, for we know God is beyond those things.
But tonight we find joy in the image of God coming to us in the form of a child.
We sense God’s presence in creation and in the immensity of our universe, in the incredible display of life on this planet, and in our consciousness of something far greater than ourselves.
As Christians we rejoice in the birth of Jesus. In him we see the fullness of possibility to make God visible in our lives.
Like all of us he grew in wisdom as he aged. He questioned. He searched for meaning. He shaped his convictions.
He experienced love and came to know love’s connectedness with God.
He stood firmly in his own religious tradition
and preached good news to all people dreaming
of a better humanity.
We rejoice that he taught us not to imagine
a manipulative, intervening God,
but one who is as close as breath and as soft as a whisper, yet as powerful in the focus of our lives,
as were the mighty (prophets) in the Old Testament
drawing us toward the good.
We rejoice that Jesus led people to discover the sacred in the ordinary,
in the lowly, in everyday life,
in human yearnings to be better people,
and in being neighbor to one another.
Bread and wine,
the fruit of vine and earth.
May these ordinary things be blessed.
For they represent both the ordinary and the extraordinary
as Jesus calls us to follow him.
And when we go out, may we share generously of this wonderful gift we have received.
These are the inspired words of Jane Keener-Quiat and Rex Hunt and the community affirms them by saying, Amen.
Alleluia – Dennis McDonald
image by Rev. Kathy Johnson
Guided Meditation – facilitated by Joan Horgan
Today we celebrate a birth – not a birth that took place somewhere else, in another time and another place, but a birth that is taking place right now, right here, deep inside of you. It is the birth into your awareness of your own true Self, wholly pure, wholly innocent, wholly Love.So come with me now deep within as we journey to the birthplace of the Divine Child in you.
Imagine now that you see in the sky a star, a star so radiant and bright with promise that you cannot help but follow it.And let it guide you, surely and without fear, until you come to a stable.As you enter, let yourself feel how quiet and still it feels inside – a quiet not somber but filled with a joyful peace, a warmth of safety and a certainty of fulfillment beyond anything you’ve ever felt before.This is a holy place, a sacred space deep in your own heart.This is the place where Love is born in you today.
Come now to view the child, Pure Love, lying in the manger.“Unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given, and this child’s name shall be called wonderful.”Let yourself look into the face of this child - this child that is your Self - and see it radiant, filled with a wondrous light, that comes from beyond this world.This child is the symbol of your wholeness, your innocence, your perfection in the Mind and Hear of God.This is your defenselessness, born as you are willing to lay down your weapons of judgment, anger and attack, directed towards others or yourself.Lay them down today.
This child is the holiness of your true nature as God created you, born into expression as kindness, trust, generosity, peace, acceptance, patience and joy.Attune yourself now to the qualities of love that are ready to be born in you today – qualities you are willing to say yes to and nurture over the coming year, qualities of your real Self that are longing for outer expression.Say yes.Let love be born in you.There is nothing to fear.And hear all sing together in celebration of you – Alleluia, Love is born in us and among us this day.
And now once more look up and see the star shining – not outside you but in the Heaven within - and accept it as the sign, the time of Christ has come… Amen.
This Guided Meditation for Christmas is the inspired creation of Rev. Diane Berke. The community affirms this sacred time by saying “Amen.”
Homily Starter - Suzanne
Shared Homily
Kim: Thank you for the beautiful insights shared this evening.
Statement of Faith – Read by Dave Debonis
We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery beyond all definition and rational understanding, the heart of all that has ever existed, that exists now, or that ever will exist. We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word, bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion, bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's prophets, mystics, and saints. We believe that We are called to follow Jesus as a vehicle of divine love, a source of wisdom and truth, and an instrument of peace in the world. We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One, the life that is our innermost life, the breath moving in our being, the depth living in each of us. We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now, stretched out all around us for those with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it, and hands to make it happen.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE ~Led by Dr. Phillis Sheppard and Margaret Dilgen
Phillis: In gratitude, in praise, may our hearts turn to receive the Light of the Luminous Night. Guide us in the ways of laying our lives gratefully before You. We lift our voices to God: All: May the Wisdom of Christ light our path.
Margaret: You call us each by name. Teach us to serve all creatures of your sacred creation. Guide us toward unity, healing our division. We lift our voices to God: All: May the Wisdom of Christ light our path.
Phillis: The nations are yours, part of your wondrous body. May all leaders know they are called to care; may they heed your peoples’ cries for release from senseless oppression. Guide us toward justice and peace, healing our deceit. We lift our voices to God: All: May the Wisdom of Christ light our path.
Margaret: We are yours. Guide our hearts and minds and bodies in the ways of wisdom, that we might hear and head the pleas of friends among us who hunger, thirst, and face the cold nights. Guide us toward mercy, healing our fear. We lift our voices to God: All: May the Wisdom of Christ light our path.
Phillis: Strengthen all who suffer, and those who care for them (N). Open our hearts to see your tender Presence already within us. Guide us toward wholeness, healing our blindness. We lift our voices to God: All: May the Wisdom of Christ light our path.
Margaret: You welcome all who have completed their earthly journey (N). Your peace is now their peace. Guide us into your Heart, healing our soul. We lift our voices to God: All: May the Wisdom of Christ light our path.
Phillis: In gratitude and praise, we invite your peace into our lives. We lift our voices to God: All: May the Wisdom of Christ light our path.
Suzanne:
God of hope and promise: through your love the promise of life enfolds our hearts; in your heart we offer our lives in hope; and so, as the Star of Night eternally sings your praises – we lay in your open hands the thankful prayers of ourselves, our souls, our bodies. All: Amen.
Kim: Please join in praying our Eucharistic Prayer:
(written by Jay Murnane)
O Holy One, you have been called by many names by many people in the centuries of our planet’s life. Yet, no name truly defines you or describes you.In this holy season, we celebrate you as the marvelous, loving energy of life who caused us and our world to be.
We celebrate you as the Source of light and life and love, and we celebrate your presence and all-ways care. We give thanks, and joined with your vision of harmony and peace, we sing:
Source of all Life, you are continually creating the universe, continually giving birth to all of us. We sense the need to do the same, to set ourselves free from a sense of emptiness and barren hopelessness.
Your wisdom invites us to draw on our tradition, as old as the stars, shining through Sarah and Abraham, shining through your prophets in every age and every culture. We join that enlightening, enlivening tradition with what we are as we risk fidelity to a dream.
Filled with your spirit, we, like Jesus, can give birth in our day to your living word for the sake of hope enfleshed in creativity and confrontation, healing and reconciliation, justice, universal and unconditional love.
Suzanne: We are aware of the Spirit of love and new life upon all who are gathered here that our solidarity around this Eucharistic table may awaken in us a yearning for justice and generosity, so that all peoples can enjoy the gifts of God’s abundant nourishment.
O Holy One, we dare again to dream the ancient dreams and open ourselves to marvelous visions. There are mountains of arrogance to lower, valleys of fear and separation to fill in, to create a highway of community and communion that stretches throughout our consciousness and around our world.
In this way, working to renew the face of the earth, we are opened up to your Spirit, the Spirit of light and life and love born in Jesus.
On the night before he faced his own death, Jesus sat at supper with his companions and friends. He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly with them, he bent down and washed their feet.
All lift their plates and pray the following:
When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:
Take and eat, this is my very self.
(pause)
All lift their cups and pray the following:
Then he took the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying:
Take and drink.
Whenever you remember me like this,
I am among you.
(pause)
What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives. As we share communion, we become Communion both love’s nourishment and love’s challenge.
You are the Face of the Holy One. Please receive Communion.
Communion Meditation/Song – This Christmas Morning
Written and performed by Leslie Ritter & Scott Petito
As I watch from my window, the candle burns low
On the eastern horizon, a flicker, a glow
Starts the grasses to shimmer in new fallen snow
So perfect, this Christmas morning
I think, in the quiet, with peace all around me
What this child came to give us, his words still resounding
Saying love, dear ones love, only love need abound
Please confirm it this Christmas morning
Though your heart wants to break as you look from your home
See the fear and the pain, the suffering only
To the hopeless, the fearful, the lost and the lonely
Give love, on this Christmas morning
I think, in the quiet, with peace all around me
What this child came to give us
His words still resounding
Saying love, dear ones love, only love need abound
Please confirm it this Christmas morning
Though your heart wants to break as you look from your home
See the fear and the pain, the suffering only
To the hopeless, the fearful, the lost and the lonely
Give love, on this Christmas morning
To the hopeless, the fearful, the lost and the lonely
Give love, on this Christmas morning
In his name, love, this Christmas morning
2005 Leslie Ritter & Scott Petito
Let us pray the prayer Jesus: Read by Donna Panaro
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth. With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.
~ The Prayer Jesus Taught us, Re-imagined in the New Zealand Prayer Book
PresiderSuzanne: When you close sacred space, you again address the elements and spirit helpers.Thanking them for keeping your space open, for keeping you focused and protected, and for their love and wisdom that they share with you during this sacred time.It is important to close the space when you have completed your prayers inside this sacred space.
Closing of the Four Directions - Proclaimed by: Dennis McDonald, Mary Brandon, Denise Hackert-Stoner and Jim Marsh; Drum ~ Suzanne O’Connor
Dennis:To the winds of the SouthGreat Serpent
Thank you for the healing light you bring to us
For helping us to shed the deadness of our past the way you shed your skin, all at once
Thank you for teaching us the Beauty Way.
Mary:To the winds of the West
Mother Sister Jaguar
Thank you for protecting our medicine space
We embrace your wisdom of teaching us they ways
of peace, impeccability, and the journey beyond death.
Denise:To the winds of the North
Hummingbird, Grandmothers and Grandfathers
Ancient Ones
Thank you for sharing this space with us
We listen for your whispers to us in the wind and to the sacred space within our hearts
Guide us with your grace.
Jim: To the winds of the East
Great Eagle, Condor
Thank you for taking us upon your wings to our highest path of destiny
Thank you for Showing us the holy mountains and reminding us to envision our lives from this place
Denise: Mother Earth
Pachamama
We give you thanks, as one of your children, for holding us so sweetly in your womb of love and live as we heal all of our stories, our shadows, our fears.
Jim:Father Sun, Grandmother Moon
Star Nations – Star Brothers and Sisters
Great Spirit
You who are known by a thousand names
The unnamable, the nameless one
You who are unknown, yet not unknowable
Thank you for bringing us together
And allowing us to sing the song of Life, one more day.
Closing Song:Let There Be Peace written and sung by Carrie Underwood
https://youtu.be/mqueJwYg4k8
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Ella Fitzgerald
