Awe inspiring is this life – the perpetual dance of atoms, the generation of cells and the intimate web between all named here this morning and all realities seen and unseen. Each one here, a manifestation of light, of love, of God, of life – unified and diverse, connected and distinct. What a crazy and beautiful reality we all are!

We kick our way through snow swirling now around doorsteps; we skid through intersections, we test out both back and snow-throwers to face again the changes, the beauty and inconveniences of winter and darkening days which beg now for the solstice to arrive. Minute by minute we lose the light only to begin that broad and hopeful sweep again toward resurrection and creeping illumination that is already in the works. Like nature, might we take a wide glance at life, at change, at possibility – allowing things to mature, to become, to shift. And as always, may we find our balance between making things happen and letting things to happen.

We are grateful for the luxury and freedom to speak of the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith. And then, to imagine a universal Christ consciousness that transcends and includes all that may be limiting, dogmatic or exclusionary. We honor Jesus of history, this one whose social program of inclusive love, justice and hospitality subverted the divisive paradigms of his day; we recognize the attempts to explain and celebrate this Jesus of Nazareth with words, adulation and the highest language they could use; may we draw encouragement that like Jesus, who was described as a Christ, we, too are anointed ones to be light and love in this world where corners and people are often grayed and fringed. We dwell in the universal presence of love, unity, compassion - a Christ presence that would continue turning this world from greed to generosity, from selfishness to compassion, from fear to freedom.

We remember ones we love and know who are recovering, those who are sad, those in hospital, those afraid. We consider ourselves as neighbors to the friendless, the song-less, the hurt and lonely. This day, we would be as light to others: demonstrating a smile, offering a kind and genuine word, initiating a plan for help or assistance, working toward a meal for one in need or a new policy in Lansing. All these and more are our and others’ salvation. The human family locally and worldwide we offer our love and respect….

All here are important. We offer ourselves to the world and to the pervasive hum of love and benevolence that pulls us toward our greater and fuller selves and the change we wish to see in the world. Amen.

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