When I was a little girl, my mom would put us to bed on Christmas Eve in our fanciest Christmas dresses. She’d wake us up in the middle of the night and tuck us in the car to go to Midnight Christmas Eve service at our local Episcopalian church. I remember the sensations of being half awake, but also seeing the huge nativity at the Narthex lit up and the whole sanctuary filled with poinsettias and candlelight. I remember the music and the pageantry….and I remember trying to stay awake for all of it, and only sometimes succeeding. It is a wonderful memory, filled with nostalgia and awe.
As Unitarian Universalists, we have a lot of abundance in our holidays because we celebrate so MANY of the holidays that this season has to offer: Solstice (this Sunday), Christmas Even (two services–the pageant at 5:30 and traditional worship at 7:30), Christmas Morning (Sunday, December 25), and New Years’ Day (Sunday, January 1). We are also offering a service for those who are struggling during the holidays (Blue Holidays on Thursday, December 15) and we know that plenty of you will also be celebrating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa during this time.
While I know many of you will also be gathering for festivities and with family, I do sincerely hope you’ll find some time to come and rest with us. I hope that you can join us for time to find the awe and celebration, the mystery and the community of this season.
Whatever you celebrate, however you celebrate, even IF you celebrate, I wish you moments of peace, joy and togetherness this season.