By Rev. Carol Bodeau
Dear Friends,
The last few weeks have been an emotional roller-coaster for many of us, from both a personal and a collective perspective. The results of the election led to a lot of emotional upheaval, conversations about ‘what happens next?’ and waves of hope and fear. Meanwhile, I’ve been working on the holiday services for the season at Westside. And it seems to me that the arrival of the holidays is a good resource in responding to the uncertainty of this larger moment in history.
During the month of December, there are a number of holidays that are celebrated around the world which remind us to see the light in the darkness, to feel hope in times of uncertainty, and focus on birth and promise. Hanukkah honors the miracle of temple lamps burning for days beyond what was possible, as the Jewish people recovered from strife and exile. Christmas celebrates the birth of a savior who brought hope in a time of political darkness. And the Winter Solstice reminds us that the sun always returns, that even in the darkest time of the year, the wheel of the seasons is turning and spring is on its way again.
The point of all of these holidays is to encourage us to actively choose light, to purposefully focus our attention on what possibilities may be gestating in the darkness, and to hold close the people and traditions we treasure as way to warm and comfort us in the cold and dark. These are conscious actions we can take, today and every day, to bring the good we seek into the world.
So, as this holiday season gets into full swing, I invite you to hold dear the traditions and the intentions of the season. Let’s all remember that, regardless of our religious or spiritual leanings, the message of the season crosses cultural boundaries and builds bridges that can bring unity out of separation.
Happy Holidays, everyone.
Rev. Carol