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Yesterday was the Winter Solstice – yippee, now the days will be longer, full of more light. Hmmm – is that one reason why the holiday season is called the Season of Light?

The Winter Solstice astronomically marks the beginning of shortening nights and lengthening days. Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth.

Then there’s Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, which began at sundown last night. It is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. The Temple was purified and the wicks of the menorah miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough sacred oil for one day’s lighting.

According to the chabad.org website, Chanukah celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality.

And, of course, coming up later this week is Christmas, the holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born at a time when society was infested with spiritual ignorance and unrighteousness (superstition, greed, hatred, hypocrisy, etc.). He came as a spiritual guide (Guru) or Savior Form of God to guide people to Liberation from spiritual ignorance or ego (sin), the root cause of suffering. We each have the light and love of the Christ Presence within, which is our spiritual nature.

So there are numerous reasons for calling this time of year the Season of Light. I see it as a time that reminds us of The Light: the truth, the goodness, the God within – indeed great cause for joy and celebration.

This Muslim prayer, found on www.beliefnet.com, focuses on the glory of Allah, and is attributed to the theologian Al-Ghazali (1058-1111):

In Thy name, Lord, I lay me down and in Thy name will I rise up… O God, Thou art the first and before Thee there is nothing; Thou art the last and after Thee there is nothing; Thou art the outmost and above Thee there is nothing; Thou art the inmost and below Thee there is nothing… Waken me, O God, in the hour most pleasing to Thee and use me in the works most pleasing to Thee, that Thou mayest bring me ever nearer to Thyself.

Today was a day full of celebration – a long day of celebration!

We attended Rog’s daughter Emily’s boyfriend’s college commencement, then gathered to break bread and celebrate Nick’s achievement. There was conversation, the making of new friends, getting acquainted with family members, a bubbly toast, homemade cake decorated with the colors of Nick’s school, and the opening of gifts and greeting cards to acknowledge and congratulate Nick on earning his B.A.

Tonight’s service at The Little Chapel was an extra special one focused on Christmas. Jesus was the focal point of the message, special music was presented, gifts given – all in celebration of the birth of Jesus and what this special man gave to the world. Repeatedly we heard the message that God loves every single one of us. There is such joy in that idea, such power – and strong reason to celebrate.

On the drive home we tuned in briefly to Delilah’s radio show. People express their love for someone in their life and dedicate a song to them. It’s a celebration of love and gratitude.

It’s not often that I have such a full day of people celebrating people, but it sure is an uplifting experience and a reminder of the goodness in life and the vastness of love to be shared.

It’s a small world after all,
It’s a small world after all,
It’s a small world after all,
It’s a small, small world.

Do you remember that song from Disney, the one about peace? I first heard it at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair when I was a young girl. You can click here to learn more about the history of the song and the Disney ride.

Today Rog and I lunched with LB to catch up a bit on our respective lives. We first met when a mutual colleague invited LB to our weekly Tuesday morning conversation group Rog and I used to host at our business Conversation Point: Another School of Thought. We also worked closely with LB when he held workshops at our venue. It’s always fun getting together with LB, getting to know him more and growing closer.

Tonight I met JW for tea to find out more about some interesting volunteer work she is passionately involved in with youth at risk. Rog and I first met her and her fiancé, ZW – now husband – when they came to us for a wedding coaching session. When Rog and I were ordained as non-denominational ministers, JW & ZW jumped at asking us to marry them. We did (couple-to-couple) and since then have kept in touch and shared some wonderful, warm times, getting to know one another along the way and feeling more and more connected, like family. We helped them and they were a wonderful blessing to us – and continue to be.

This evening I learned that JW knows LB! That’s a thrill for me. They live on opposite parts of the valley, work in different fields, come from different cultural backgrounds, etc. However, they are both active in Landmark, and because they are in community there, they are in community with us. “Six degrees of separation” come to mind.

We are all so closely connected to one another in this seemingly vast world and oftimes don’t know it – until further conversation and exploration reveals it is so. Yet, Spirit is always there. It is indeed a small world.

It’s a world of laughter, a world of tears,
It’s a world of hopes and a world of fears;
There’s so much that we share,
That it’s time we’re aware
It’s a small world after all.
It’s a small world after all,
It’s a small world after all,
It’s a small world after all,
It’s a small, small world.
There is just one moon, and one golden sun,
And a smile means friendship to ev’ryone;
Though the mountains divide,
And the oceans are wide,
It’s a small world after all.

Click to hear the song – enjoy strolling down memory lane!

This morning I was in my quiet time, thanking God for my life and for this day. Then I asked God for help, especially financial – that caught my attention. I changed it to faith – a feeling of certainty that Rog and I would be well, not just ‘okay,’ no matter what. That immediately got changed to peace – ah, peace beyond all understanding. Isn’t that what truly underlies faith? Or, perhaps it’s that peace gives rise to faith which then loops back into peace…

Well, it is surely not financial that comes first! Emmet Fox says “As long as there is fear, or resentment, or any trouble in your heart, that is to say, as long as you lack serenity, or peace, it is not possible for you to attain very much.” (The Sermon on the Mount – The Key to Success in Life, page 42)

So I’m asking for peace– that is my request. From there all flows with ease and grace. All is well.

Thank You.