Merry Christmas Eve!

Unity of Phoenix has the most beautiful Candlelighting Service every Christmas Eve. We usually go a week earlier - to the "travellers service" as they call it - but tonight we went to the packed house (no room in the inn!) service. The music is amazing, the atmosphere is peaceful, and the message is always wonderful. I love going to this service every year and am always deeply moved while attending. I had tears when we sang the old familiar Christmas songs because I was missing being with my family today...and it brings back many wonderful memories of midnight masses at the old Bremen church - that old stone building and it would be so cold outside (usually we trekked out there in 20 below blizzarding conditions...maybe it just seemed that way...) but so cozy and warm inside (OK, you always kept your coat on because it was a poorly heated building - but the love and peace and family that surrounded - huddled beside -you kept you warm). I always loved the nativity scene that was set up in the front and the huge tree with the styrofoam/glitter ornaments that had somehow been a part of a Christmas play once upon a time. Maybe the tree seemed really big because we were always seated in the front! ANYWAY, those were good memories of going to Mass in Bremen and there are times I really miss that part of Christmas....and Christmas in Bremen meant roller skating in the sanctuary. oops. maybe I wasn't supposed to let that leak! Anyone else remember roller skating upstairs?!?!?! that gradual grade from the back to the front that let you glide all the way until you smacked into the step and stopped. good times. good times...

So back to Unity....the candlelighting service is just beautiful. After the Christmas story is read and songs are sung, and more songs are sung...and the music is beautiful...everyone gets their candle lit (lighted? Mother, I hope you're reading this... so you can correct my grammar) and it is absolutely beautiful to see your light reflecting the light in others and theirs in you. Every person gets a candle and on every candle there is an affirmation (or a "fortune" as we called it in our car). My affirmation for the year is: "I know what Divine knows. I have what Divine has. I am what Divine is." That's a little profound for me... I like my "Faith is God is my anchor" from a few years ago better....but maybe it will make sense as the year progresses. So as the Christ-child was born in Bethlehem so many years ago, I hope that same Christ-child is reborn in you tonight. Merry Christmas and God bless us, everyone.