About UUCB
December 2010
We offer thoughts for you each day of this month.
December
1. This month begins with Hanukkah. At sundown light a candle with thanks for life and with the commitment to open yourself this season to balance—light and dark, activity and receptivity.
2. Come share a meal and fellowship, sing and hear a story. Thursday Night Supper is at 6:00 and at 7:00 in the Fireside Room are the Hymn Sing and Story for All Ages.
3. During this season of dark and light, we acknowledge the world’s shadows and brightness. The more honestly we look at life’s fullness, the more authentic human beings we become.
4. Let us find empty moments in the day, to be alone and find ourselves. What all is being stirred in me? What do I really feel? How can I be compassionate with myself and seek the compassion of others?
5. Our covenant of right relations names building healthy relationships as a spiritual practice. “We endeavor to communicate directly, honestly, and compassionately.” What do you need to say in your relationships, your family, your congregation?
6. Do you have too much to do or not enough? Either way be kind to yourself.
7. This day marks the first month of the Islamic calendar. Give to something larger than yourself. Prepare and serve the meal at GRIP, read to a child, ask how you can support our Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry and work for justice.
8. Let us be gentle with ourselves and with each other.
9. In a season often filled with high expectation, we practice accepting ourselves in our imperfection. The more we accept ourselves with our imperfection, the more we can accept others in theirs.
10. In the midst of whatever you are feeling, take a break and sit in a beautiful space like the sanctuary and breathe in its grace.
11. Begin some new holiday tradition. Offer simple presents. Make fun clues for what’s inside.
12. Come to the Sunday Service at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. for a glorious Music Sunday!
13. ‘Tis the season to eat well and drink lots of water. Reducing your intake of sugar, caffeine, and alcohol helps you have healthy holidays.
14. Tend to your financial health, too. Practice simplicity, creativity, kindness, financial responsibility during the holidays.
15. Don’t wait for the New Year to resolve to exercise. Keep up your regular routine or begin simple physical exercises now.
16. Throughout the day, sit quietly for 60 seconds, breathing deeply in and out. Exhale with a long “aahhh.” Restore your inner balance with your compassionate attention.
17. Create a home altar with pictures of people you love who have died. Light candles for them and reflect on your memories.
18. Read a poem. Read it again with a pause after each word. Which phrases speak to you?
19. Celebrate the diversity and beauty of the Wholly Family at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., bring gifts of mittens and warm clothing to decorate the tree, and return at 6:00 p.m. for the Sing Along Messiah.
20. Listen to some beautiful music, let the music soothe you and comfort you.
21. Tonight we’ll hold a Blue Christmas Longest Night worship service with space for feeling hurts, losses, disappointments and marked with readings, prayers, and silence.
22. Cultivate your good spirit, humor, and joy. Look for something that brings a smile to your face.
23. Enjoy a meal in community and a vespers service. Stay and engage in learning more about our Unitarian Universalist heritage.
24. This eve celebrate the Christmas story and Christmas music at the 5:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. service. Light one candle in the bank of candles adding to the radiant glow.
25. Give loving kindness to yourself and others and receive what the day offers you with grace and gratitude.
26. On this first day of Kwanzaa, join in community for worship at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
27. Reach out to a friend.
28. Speak or write words of appreciation.
29. Reflect on your year of life in 2010. If you were to put objects in the time capsule to represent your year, what would you include?
30. Reflect on your strengths and what you want for your life.
31. Come for a 5:00 p.m. worship service in the Fireside Room to mark the end of the year and the beginning of the new.
Holiday Blessings!
