24 December 2017

And after Advent comes Christmas - some more #Unitarian thoughts

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER WITH SEVEN WORDS

We remember the Magi,
Observers of stars,
Evidence-based seekers
Who found their way to kneel before a baby.
May we, too, kneel before life’s intricate mysteries
Following the path of science-based searchers for truth



We remember Mary,
Birth-mother of a revolutionary prophet
The fetus in her womb a surprise,
Her choice a decision to magnify her hope,
The birth difficult,
Attended by a beautiful diversity of animals,
And a rag-tag gathering of vulnerable people.
May we too, kneel at the cradle of earth’s dreams for peace
And dedicate ourselves to revolutionary love.
We remember Joseph,
Unexpectant father,
Who embraced the baby as his own
Believing that every child has a God-given entitlement to love and care.
May we too, stand by the women and children of this world
When patriarchal privilege and power threaten their freedom
And put their well-being at risk.
We remember the Angels
Singing in a cold night to the over-taxed poor,
Promising peace and goodwill to all.
May we echo their song in acts of solidarity and justice
For all souls—refugee souls, green souls, disabled souls,
Black souls, young souls, transgender souls.
May we join the bold, holy movement
To bring heaven to earth.
May the Morning Star brighten our hope for a new day,
And may laughter strengthen all our prayers. AMEN
-- Prayer offered on December 17, 2017 by Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker, Theologian in Residence, All Souls Church Unitarian, Washington, DC - Copy/Share freely!

17 December 2017

The Advent Wait #unitarians

What are we waiting for?


By its very nature the eternal You cannot become an It.

The eternal You is not to be found either in or outside the world; is not to be experienced; is not to be thought.

And we transgress against That Which Has Being if we say: “I believe that He is.”
For even “He” or “She” or “It” is still a metaphor, while “You” is not.

(adapted from Martin Buber, I and Thou)



You, the Self
the Tao
the Brahman – Atman
the Rule
the Source
the Sovereign
the Way
the Abyss;

You, Life
Underlying Order
the Great Unfolding
Overall Dance
Complete Entirety
the Integral Net of Being

There is no reason, no meaning, no travel, no ‘later’, in You

There is only here, now.