Seeing God

It’s Christmas Eve day and no matter where you are– in or out of religion– you can’t help but see it all around. A dear friend of mine says “I have long believed that the greatest gift of Christmas is not found in the wonderous details of sky-lined angelic arias or travel-planning Oriental stars or even an unplanned parenthood virgin birth. The Christmas miracle that I hold onto and that holds onto me is Immanuel, God with us, in all things that are, that have been and that future years shall see. That is truth for me.” These words ring true for me and as I look back over 2014 I am reminded over and over again just how and how often I “see” God. And “God” is my word of choice because it’s recognized, understood but really, it could be any word written to convey a sense of the divine…a sense of that greater something beyond ourselves.

I saw God this morning in a sweaty room full of yogis…focused, calm, even in the most difficult of poses. And despite the intensity we were all very much together in that room–everyone was within themselves and with one another. I see God in the faces of my dear friends as we sit around a table in candlelight. I see God in the faces of my children who light up the room, the house with their presence. I see God in the faces of volunteers who come together to fix sewing machines, to help people learn to sew, and rest in the community that they find in service.

But this year hasn’t been all joy and light. I see God in the “helpers”, as Mr. Rogers would say, in the saddest and most disturbing images we see, even when it’s so incredibly hard to imagine that God might be around. Illness, fear, injustice…but there are the helpers, soothing the sick, standing up for those who are too weak to stand, demanding justice in an unfair situation. I see God through my own tears as my heart breaks and heals, breaks and heals. I saw God in the face of my father as we said our final goodbyes earlier this year.

Christmas signifies the birth of Jesus but we don’t really know when he was born. And we all have our own set of beliefs around this or whatever spiritual path we choose. My own belief holds that Jesus did come bearing a message so important and asking that we listen. “Love one another” “Take care of one another” and no matter where you are or what you believe I do believe that these are words by which we are meant to live.

Happy Holidays, my friends. I hope this season brings light in whatever form you need light. I hope your souls find peace. I hope this world finds peace.