Joy
of the Season
“To be
of the Earth is to know:
the
restlessness of being a seed
the
darkness of being planted
the
struggle toward the light
the joy of
bursting and bearing fruit
the love
of being food for someone
the
scattering of your seeds
the decay
of the seasons
the
mystery of death
and the
miracle of birth.”
John Soos
(Earth Prayers, p.288)
It is the beginning of the
Christmas weekend. As families gather to celebrate the birth of
Jesus, I wish you peace, harmony, joy and thanksgiving. Here is the
hymn that comes to mind for me—Trees of the Field, one of my
favorites!
“You
shall go out with joy
And be let forth with peace,
And the mountains and the hills
Will break forth before you.
There will be shouts of joy
And the trees of the fields
Will clap, will clap their hands.
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
While you go out with joy.”
And be let forth with peace,
And the mountains and the hills
Will break forth before you.
There will be shouts of joy
And the trees of the fields
Will clap, will clap their hands.
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
And the trees of the fields will clap their hands,
While you go out with joy.”
Stuart
Dauermann
This
is a perfect time to practice patience, to be openhearted, and to
spread the miracle of peace that passes understanding—even when
your patience is tested, people challenge your world view, or make
unkind remarks to and about you—especially then. That's the whole
reason to have a spiritual practice—so that when you are put to the
test, you don't deepen the divide between you and whoever challenges
your patience. I know some families don't have these problems and I
applaud you. For those who do, I wish you peace within, so that you
can spread the joy of this season without. All the trees of the fields will
clap their hands, and so will I!
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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