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Parson’s Pen
December 2004
‘The world we want for ourselves and our children will not emerge from electronic speed but rather from a spiritual stillness that takes root in our souls. Then and only then, will we create a world that reflects the heart instead of shattering it.’ Marrianne Williamson
Dear Ones,
As we approach the holiday season and the New Year, I am reflecting upon my childhood memories. Many times when I look back and replay parts of growing up it’s like watching a 1950’s sitcom.
The main players, are myself, my sister Dee Dee, my father who was raised as an Orthodox Jew and my mother who was raised Catholic. My parents, supposedly, turned their backs on their religions. In reality they were closet religious fanatics.
Now, it doesn?t take a genius to figure out that every year, when the holiday season approached, the repressed religious intensity grew within our household. In honor of my mother, we always celebrated Christmas opening plentiful presents with my father claiming that ‘he was the real Santa Claus’ (he always wanted credit) and ‘Jesus was nothing more than a magician?. To me, the Holiday’s represented a fun, buying, giving and receiving frenzy.
In my preteens, while attending a Catholic Christmas Midnight Mass, I felt the presence of Spirit for the first time and began to research to find out more about ‘Magical’ Jesus and his message.
That ongoing search for Truth led me to the discovery of Religious Science and ultimately to you, my Spiritual Family. And for these, the greatest of presents, I am eternally grateful to my parents.
Many of you know that Jesus was actually born in March. But, we celebrate his birthday on December 25th, in honor of the ‘Christ Consciousness’, a yearly pagan festival that celebrated the universal ancient winter solstice holiday. The early Christians as well as the pagans observed this holiday. But what is the Christ Consciousness?
Ernest Holmes explains it this way: We are made in God’s likeness and are the highest expression of God. Jesus (amongst others) was one of the greatest examples, not exceptions of manifestation of the Christ Consciousness. He brought love to the planet and helped us commune with God. It is the universal God Presence saying, ‘Lo, I Am with you always.’
It is being God’s Love. It is living in love of nature and all people. It is practicing forgiveness at all times. It is maintaining peace when the world around us has the appearance of crumbling. It is using our thoughts consciously to recognize all of God’s good in our lives and all of the miracles happening around us everyday. It is practicing the Golden Rule. It is going within, connecting to and trusting in our Highest Power, our God-self, for wisdom and knowledge. It is seeking daily our highest purpose and reflecting that purpose in our lives. It is moving beyond appearances, seeing God in all and being grateful for every challenge and learning experience.
Easier said than done! These last few years have given me tremendous opportunities to practice the above principles in my life. In a rapidly changing world, it has taken perseverance to hold the ‘high watch’, and continuously vision what ‘heaven on earth’ looks and feels like.
As the New Year rapidly approaches, I am steadfastly holding the vision of all people letting go of their defenses so they experience the presence of God’s love. I see new ways of resolving our differences and conflicts, at home, in our communities, in our country and around the world. I see everyone’s needs met, spiritually, physically and educationally. I see a world where all people are awakened to their spiritual nature resulting in less of earth’s natural resources being consumed, our oceans and waterways, and air clean, our forests plentiful, and our animals with more space to grow.
I envision our Church family continuing to evolve and grow stronger in Spirit, touching the hearts of others in our community and around the world. I envision a world where diversity is honored and peace reigns supreme. I envision our children and all of us, as healthy and happy. I see a world where the animals have the same right to exist as we do and where our planet is cared for lovingly.
What is your vision for the New Year? What is your passion, that which you hold dearest in your heart? I invite you to share that vision with all those who deeply touch your heart. Together, one by one, if we stand strong in our Faith, strong in our Love, strong in our integrity, strong in our Vision, we will manifest Heaven on Earth! If you doubt this, remember that I manifested you. You are the answer to my childhood prayer. You are the Spiritual Supportive family that is the ?reflection of God?s love and perfection? in my life. And that truly is the greatest gift of all!
I close with lyrics from Monica’s ‘GROWN UP CHRISTMAS LIST’ song. As children we believed,
The grandest sight to see,
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath our tree
Well heaven surely knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal
A hurting human soul
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This my grown up Christmas list
I love each and every one of you and ‘Know’ all the gifts of the Kingdom are yours and Spirit is Alive at PVCRS in 2005.
Blessings,
Rev. Pam
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