Sacred Space

First Sunday of Advent 

December 2^nd  

Today we light the first candle of the Advent wreath. This is the candle of HOPE. With Christians around the world, we use this light to help us prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of God’s Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we receive God’s light as we hear the words of the prophet Isaiah: 

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness — on them light has shined.”—Isaiah 9:2 

Let us pray: 

Lord as we look to the birth of Jesus, grant that the light of your love for us will help us to become lights in the lives of those around us. Prepare our hearts for the joy and gladness of your coming, for Jesus is our hope. Amen. 

I was raised Southern Baptist and was not familiar with Advent.  Last I started celebrating Advent as a way to maintain the sacredness of the Christmas holiday.  Today begins the Advent season.  I plan to post the weekly readings.  If you interested in the daily readings, you can Google to find them. 

I want to encourage you all to remember the reason for this season as you go about your shopping or whatever it is that you do to prepare for the Christmas holiday. 

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Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24).

Thank you for sharing this sacred space with me.

Peace & Blessings,

Rev. Sheila

I want to take a look at the 10 Commandments this month. 

It’s been about two years since I carefully studied the 10 Commandments.  When I was introduced to the 10 Commandments in Sunday School, they seemed like a bunch of rules that didn’t really pertain to me.  They were foreign.  The only thing I liked about the 10 Commandments was the movie that came on TV each Easter season.  I loved the parting of the Red Sea.

Anyhow, as an adult, I can see how they pertain to me.  They’re not just some ancient Hebrew rules.  They are useful guidelines into how to live an abundant life.  They deal with core issues that most of find challenging right now in the 21^st century – honoring our parents, dealing with jealousy, adultery, not killing one another with our thoughts and deeds.

Instead of thinking of the 10 commandments as rules, I have learned that these commandments are ancient wisdom which contain 10 spiritual lessons that are relevant and helpful no matter one’s religious background. 

ONE: ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.‘

TWO: ‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image–any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.‘

THREE: ‘You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.‘

FOUR: ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.‘

FIVE: ‘Honor your father and your mother.‘

SIX: ‘You shall not murder.‘

SEVEN: ‘You shall not commit adultery.‘

EIGHT: ‘You shall not steal.‘

NINE: ‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.‘

TEN: ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.‘

 
I invite you to set aside some time this month to contemplate on this ancient wisdom and how it can be useful to your everyday decisions and relationships. 

 
Thank you for sharing this sacred space with me.

 
Peace & Blessings,

 
Rev. Sheila

 
P.S.  I’m going to do something different this month.  I’ll be back every two or three days to share my thoughts on each commandment.  Stay tuned.
 

The Birthday Meditation
 

If you are yourself at peace, then there is some peace in the world.  Then share your peace with everyone, and everyone will be at peace.

–Thomas Merton

Today is my birthday and I have been given the most wonderful gift –A birthday meditation and mantra. (Thank you, Crystal.)  I’m usually not one to celebrate myself but there is no time like the present to begin a shift in consciousness, right?  I wanted to share my gift in this sacred space because this is something we can all do on a daily basis – love, honor and celebrate ourselves

Each morning I usually begin my day by saying the following: This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.  

Today I was given the following mantra for my birthday:  This is my day.  This day and all that I experience in it was created especially for me. 

I admit it’s a little awkward but I could get used to it.  A celebration of one’s life can happen at any time.

Now, for the wonderful birthday meditation:

Before you begin your day – Take a deep breath for each year you have graced this planet, taking time to thank Spirit for your existence.  Today is your day of grace.  Take this day to think of and honor only you.  As you inhale take in the wonders of your world.  As you exhale remove everything that isn’t peaceful and self-promoting.

This month, you are invited to enjoy the spectacular, powerful, and rejuvenating experience of celebrating you.  Take the time each morning to complete the above meditation.

Many of us do not realize that God has placed us in this Universe for a reason. Therefore, it can be challenging for us to celebrate who we are.  Everyday is your birthday, so enjoy the celebration. Enjoy being you

Thank you for sharing this sacred space with me. 

Peace & Blessings, 

Rev. Sheila