Scripture
In the Lord, I beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1–3 NRSV
Spiritual Focus
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King Jr.
Devotion
This week we pause to consider a kaleidoscope of faith events. Almost all faith traditions are celebrating a connection with the Sacred this month. Hanukkah commemorates the restoration of the miracle of light in the holy temple of Jerusalem. In pre-Christian Scandinavia the Feast of Juul, or Yule, lasting for 12 days, celebrated the rebirth of the sun god and gave rise to the custom of burning a Yule log. After the winter solstice light returns and the days grow incrementally longer. Many traditions pause at this time of year to acknowledge that there is something greater than the self; there is something sacred, and many experience the Sacred in the light that surrounds us.
The Christian faith stands alone in a narrative that celebrates God’s choosing to become human. It celebrates the story that is proclaimed afresh every Christmas—the story of love coming out of the heavens to dwell among us.
Pastor John Hogenson reframed for many the Christmas narrative when he described God in a single—and then expanded—word: “Love. Love came down.” Love came down to show us the way of love, to show us the way of God. The way of Love is wrapped in bands of cloth, kept warm by hay and the steamy breath of livestock. The way of Love that came down more than 2,000 years ago continues to bring hope, peace, and joy to all people, wherever they are on their faith and spiritual journeys. When we light a holiday candle we pause to celebrate Love coming down and driving out hate. We pause to join in unity with all humanity to celebrate One God, for all and in all—to revel in the reality of light driving out darkness.
Breath Prayer
Inhale Love
Exhale Come down
Focus Pose: Consider trying a candle meditation this week. Set a timer for whatever time period you can commit to: perhaps five minutes or twenty. Find a comfortable seat and come into your breath. Repeat to yourself the breath prayer Love, come down, or repeat your own sacred word, coordinating the repetition of the word(s) with your breath cycle. When your mind has settled, light your candle and gaze into the flame. Simply watch it dance. If the light is too intense, close your eyes and observe the energy patterns remaining in your internal gaze. Inhale into your being God’s white, healing, light and upon exhalation send out the light into the world. Radiate light and love.
