Tired of Not Doin' Nothin'

One of the happiest sentences I heard uttered by a parishioner recently was “I’m tired of not doin’ nothin’.” She was suggesting a idea to do some recycling—simple enough, but significant because it mattered that it meant making a difference. Isn’t that really what we are called on to do; make a difference? During Lent we spent time reflecting on our call to be difference-makers. We dedicated fasts that included

• walking instead of driving for short trips
• drying laundry on the line instead of in the dryer
• washing clothes in cold water
• purchasing carbon offsets
• giving up butter, drinking skim milk
• replacing light bulbs with fluorescents
• using the microwave less
• give up bottled water
• collecting empty juice and water bottles for recycling
• spend more time as a steward of woodlands
• give up processed foods & goods from China
• give up the gas stove and electric lights

I can’t report on whether everyone was faithful in their fasts, but I do know some things. I know that Judy cleaned out multiple huge bags of plastic recyclables from the teachers’ lounges where she works. I know that Pat and Kate didn’t use their stove or lights for the full six weeks. And I know that my family didn’t buy the more than half-dozen cases of bottled water that we would have.

If I had to guess, I’d say that the impact we had collectively on reducing greenhouse gases was well over a hundred pounds (not to mention the two tons of offsets that were purchased). And to top it off, we planted a tree on Earth Day! We can celebrate the fact that we are indeed difference-makers. We are hearing and responding to the challenge of Dr. Suess’ Lorax, “unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.”

Personally, I’m still walking to the church when I can and with the warm weather a clothesline has gone up in the back yard. The great lesson from disciplines like Lenten fasts is that they can bring joy and become easier to maintain. As we all strive to make a difference with the lives we are given, we will find the power of what one person can do. As the African proverb says, "If you think you're too small to make a difference, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room.” And a people of God gathered in a community of faith practice, we also can see the power of working as one. Brothers and sisters, it is in seeing the power of difference-making that we can see the truth of our salvation!

Ruined by Love

There is a song by U2 that includes a litany of things that the singer regrets doing, but they were all before “love came to town.” There is no doubt that when love comes to town things change radically. We see that in our lives and the lives of those around us when a couple falls in love. It is like everything is seen through a new pair of glasses.

A wise caution I have received from my Tai Chi instructor is that Tai Chi will first be a struggle, then you will love it, and then it will ruin your life! The reason that love of the practice will ruin your life is that eventually you won’t be able to find enough time to do it, not because you are avoiding doing it like at the beginning, but because you won’t want to stop doing it to do the other things in your life.

This is how love both triumphs and conquers. Love never fails. Love cannot be killed. Love is a light that is never extinguished. Love makes all things new. In love there is a new creation.

Love is the Easter story in a single word. God’s love is seen most evident in the historical moment of the first Easter morning and is felt most closely when we allow the love of Resurrection to “ruin” our lives. When the truth of God’s love for you seen in the triumph of life over death on Easter morning (not just then, but now) really grabs hold of you, nothing can ever be the same again.

The disciplines of Lent have their payoff in this moment of truth. What good has been produced in your life by walking the journey through the shadows to the light of Easter? How has that changed you so that your life is now “ruined” because you cannot not continue on the path that brought you here?

Love has come to town and now all the good that God chooses to do through you is possible…as long as you continue to be willing to walk in the light no matter how much that “ruins” the life you had before. May you know the refreshing presence of Christ who has arisen, for as you live your life for God you prove that Christ has risen indeed!

More Powerful as One

Simply put, if we are going to save the planet, the emphasis needs to be on the “we.” I’m not suggesting that the work each of us does individually doesn’t matter (though the impact is obviously seen collectively). But I am saying that we individual humans function a whole lot better when we act as one. Finding that unity may sound like one of the more difficult challenges that lays ahead, but I want to tell you that my experience Monday taught me otherwise.

For 16 miles from Ware to Spencer, I joined with the wonderful, faith-filled, strong-legged and beautiful-footed people who have chosen to take the Interfaith Walk for Climate Rescue. Close to 40 people shared that day’s pilgrimage and more than a dozen of them started in Northampton with the goal of going all the way to Boston. Bound together in a common purpose, we individual seekers sought out each other to learn from our diversity and exult in our unity.

There was Margaret, a likely candidate for companionship since we are both ordained. When I learned that she was Episcopalian I showed her the Anglican prayer beads that have been in my pocket every day during Lent. She responded by whipping out her own and was eager to learn how I have been using them to pray the prayer of Saint Francis. “What comes after ‘where there is darkness, light’?” she asked a number of steps closer to Spencer. “Where there is sadness, joy,” I said. Two Protestant clergy praying a Catholic prayer seems to be one simple way to becoming instruments of God’s peace.

There was Steve, culturally Jewish, but an atheist—or so said Newall as they introduced themselves to me the night before as they welcomed me into “the men’s caucus.” But gender wasn’t all that I had in common with Steve. Aside from a shared love of a laugh and my own proclivity to channel my “inner rabbi,” Steve said that he is in awe of the way that us religious folks find the motivation to do these acts of hopeful witness. Well hello Steve, you have obviously found some well to tap as well since you are taking your tired legs and aching feet all the way to Boston this week! When we get right down to it, we all have more in common than the interesting, but few things that separate us.

There was Kate, who blessed me with the most darling welcome with a hand on my cheek and a smile in her deep eyes assuring me that I would be sheltered and fed and embraced by the group. Of course she was correct. This was the sort of crowd where I knew that my vegetarian ways would be no obstacle and I indeed was fed—delicious food and nourishment that my soul devoured.

There was Wren, a species unique in all the universe. I knew better than to insult her by asking if she was four. The wisdom of my reservation was revealed when she announced to me that she was four-and-three-quarters (oh how I adore children of this age, even when they declare themselves to be "super-bear" and address me as "dinner")! During the very first steps of the day I let her know that I would be searching for other wrens today as I wanted to record all the birds we encountered on our walk. I even played the song of the Carolina Wren for her, explaining that it sounds like it is saying “teakettle, teakettle, teakettle.” 29 species and over 35,000 steps later, she was the only wren I had seen or heard. Just before dinner I probably should have changed the list total to 30 when I heard her say, “I’m a Carolina Wren…teakettle, teakettle, teakettle.” Did I mention how much I adore children who are four-and-three-quarters, especially those who at such a tender age are compelled into walking (or riding in a stroller as was more often the case) across an entire state by parents who love them enough to work to improve what is left to them?

And there were many more encounters, all equally inspirational and heartwarming during that next to last winter’s day. Each of them worked their seductive spell on me, convincing me that there is yet hope for this sorry world. Each new encounter drew me in and made my departure that much more bittersweet. If only virtually or spiritually I will return to this rag-tag band of believers. But I have a feeling that my blistered feet will pound the pavement next to theirs before the week is over because God’s grip is awfully tight at times…especially in times like these when justice is so greatly required.

Armed and Dangerous

Many people are surprised to learn that Tai Chi is a martial art form. The gentle, wave-like motion of the gestures doesn’t appear aggressive. Indeed, they are not aggressive in the manner to which we are accustomed. We typically think of fighters as trying to find an opening to attack. Tai Chi is more of a defensive style. A Tai Chi master would be unlikely the one to begin a fight. Tai Chi is about protection of one’s space, maintaining balance throughout every gesture, and utilizing the power that comes from having all the parts of your body working together in a concerted effort to focus the force of the movement.

Unfortunately, many people today are unsurprised to hear Christianity described in terms of warfare. Much of the most vocal and celebrated portion of American Christendom focuses on alleged attacks from the secular world. There is an aggressiveness about much of this that I find troubling. I don’t think that we are called to be milquetoast Christians, we have a responsibility to spread the gospel, and it is a troubling message at times. The good news of the Bible is good only insofar as you find yourself in need of salvation. We all are sinners and thus require salvation, but the accompanying message of repentance requires behavioral change. The gospel message accomplishes H. L. Mencken’s maxim for journalists: it comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. So in the culture wars, I hope that we are messengers with an offensive message, not offensive messengers.

Do people see you as armed and dangerous? Are you grounded in the traditions and teachings of the faith? Can you deliver words of challenge and words of hope that come from the scripture? It is not necessary to memorize verses to deliver the good/offensive word. It is, however, necessary to know the word of God internally. If you arm yourself with the spiritual practices of prayer, scripture reading and worship you will be prepared to be dangerous for God when the opportunity comes to share the gospel.

In fact, if you truly internalize your spiritual discipline it will become something akin to a martial art. You will be in control of the power it gives you. You will realize that the power is actually external to you and flows through you. We speak of the Holy Spirit in a similar way that martial art masters speak of chi, the life force. If you have studied a martial art perhaps you have already made this connection. The greatest martial artists are those who control themselves, not needing to prove anything by fighting. If only we could similarly master the spiritual power available to us. Perhaps then we could work with all members of the human family to change the world for the better instead of choosing sides and battling in a culture war.

What Fast Will You Choose?

Recently, I preached a series of sermons on chapters 58 through 62 of Isaiah featuring the metaphors about light. It is a powerful read if you think about America today receiving the prophet's warning.

With Lent starting next week I'm reminded of the words we heard in chapter 58:

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

And if we heed the message, then what?

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

There is good news in "right worship" (the literal meaning of orthodox). I believe there is also hope in individual action. The promise of "your light" breaking forth is not plural in the Hebrew, the promise is that your personal light will shine. Jesus would remind us not to put it under a bushel!

I'm moved by the wisdom of the ONE Campaign. Check it out here (The ONE Campaign will also be a focus of the U2charist in Longmeadow tomorrow). They are putting forth a belief in the power of ONE. Here is a part of the pledge they encourage each of us to take:

We believe we can beat AIDS, starvation and extreme poverty.

We recognize ONE billion people live on less than ONE dollar a day.

We commit ourselves - one person, one voice, one vote at a time - to a make better, safer world for all.

The power of ONE is the power of ONE person who believes that all the people of the world are ONE and that together as ONE we can build a better tomorrow. In this philosophy I hear the wisdom of the theology I proclaim that we are all ONE body with many parts, living our lives to the glory of the ONE God.
On Ash Wednesday we will hold three worship services during which you will be able to dedicate your Lenten fast. This is a chance to celebrate the power of ONE person to make a difference. With the Lorax in mind (see previous post) we are encouraging fasts that make a positive ecological impact. You can use this form to dedicate your fast. If you want to do it "virtually" you can name it in a comment to this post (anonymously if you like).

Loraxian Theology

When I studied theology in seminary I was impressed by the variety of “liberation theologies.” Liberation theology started as a movement in Central America among impoverished and oppressed people. They read the Bible for themselves (due to a shortage of priests to interpret it for them) and saw, particularly in the Exodus story, what they came to call God’s preferential option for the poor. Like the American slaves of a century before them, they found hope in relating to the plight of God’s people who were regularly suffering under oppression and in exile. Even the New Testament church was a group that knew suffering, so indeed it is a logical point of view from which to view our faith story.

Other groups followed this theological path, most prominently African-Americans and feminists. As I was ministering among impoverished Americans, this theology fit well. Granted, I was not a part of the group myself, but I could relate to the words of Isaiah, read by Jesus, that the Spirit of God was upon me to proclaim good news to the poor. I found other theological bolstering in a movement called the Social Gospel. This early 20^th century movement was the work of influential “empowered” religious leaders on behalf of working class and poor people. So all of this influences my thinking, and as you all can attest by now, my preaching.

But I have long realized that I am preaching not to the underprivileged, but to the privileged (and that I am among them). What liberation do we need? It is one thing, albeit a critically important thing, to preach to the privileged that they/we have an obligation to the underprivileged, oppressed and poor people on our doorstep and around the world, but what liberation do we need? What oppresses White, middle and upper class Americans? Some churches on the right wing of American Christianity have argued that believers are an oppressed minority (or perhaps a majority oppressing itself by its silence) in the culture wars. I find this sort of “against-ness” a somewhat weak attempt to create an identity with the oppressed people of God found in the Bible. In other words, I think it is a way to preach the obvious message of liberation found in scripture to a people who don’t realize they need liberation, so the first job is create the need by pointing to the allegedly oppressive forces of secularism.

While I reject the basis of those claims, I do think that there is an oppression from which we privileged need liberation. That oppression is self-inflicted. Call it the rat race, or keeping up with the Joneses, but it is a pressure that few of us are free from. It takes a powerful act of will and a willingness to be a bit of a social pariah to be truly liberated from these social pressures. I have longed to find a way to frame this theology and think that I may have recently stumbled on a possibility. The school of theological thought that I am proposing is based on the message of the Dr. Seuss story, The Lorax. You may need to re-read it to see what I mean, but I’ll offer a brief summation of my point.

In the story, the Once-ler has obliterated the landscape and sits in his dwelling forlorn. At the end of telling his tale he offers to the listener one single seed, the last seed of the Truffula tree. The entire future hope, including the hoped-for return of the Lorax rests on the cultivation of this single seed. He also completes the thought the Lorax began at his departure. The Lorax was lifted through the smog of the industrial disaster the Once-ler had created. All that was left behind at this ascension was a rock that read “Unless…” The Once-ler says that he now realizes that the message is “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot nothing’s going to get better. It’s not.” This strikes me as the message of liberation that we need. We can be liberated from ourselves if we can start cultivating this seed of hope and decide to care a whole awful lot.

During Lent we will be focusing specifically on the personal impact each of us can have on tending to and saving this planet that has been entrusted to our stewardship. I think that the underlying theology is the message of the Lorax. I hope you will commit yourself to an active participation in our Lenten activities and in so doing help me explore the beginning of Loraxian Theology.

Do You Solemnly Swear or Affirm?

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick was sworn in this week using an historical Bible that has a connection to the United Church of Christ. Here is the story as reported in the Patriot Ledger.

It was a striking and appropriate symbol of what is great about our nation. Slavery was sad mark against the grand vision of our nation. Yet it was that very idealism that led to the correction. And today we continue to progress toward claiming the high ideal of equality for all. One ironic connection to that on-going story today is the flap over the inauguration of the first Muslim member of Congress, Keith Ellison of Minnesota. He chose to have a Koran be the book on which he placed his hand in the symbolic pictures following his official swearing in. To his credit, he chose to borrow a significant Koran for this use. The book he used once belonged to Thomas Jefferson. What a splendid way to remind all of us of the way our government was designed to include people of all faiths and creeds. I think the Founding Fathers would be smiling.

To add to the irony of this alleged controversy, it is noteworthy that Rep. Ellison was not the first member of Congress to forgo a Bible at his swearing in. Debbie Wasserman Schultz took her oath in 2005 on a Tanakh, a Hebrew Bible. Not only that, but a number of presidents have deviated from this tradition as well. Theodore Roosevelt did not use a Bible in taking his first oath in 1901 (although he did use one in 1905). Herbert Hoover, citing his Quaker beliefs, chose to affirm, not swear his oath. Franklin Pierce also chose to affirm. And to top off the irony, John Quincy Adams in 1825 chose not the Bible, but a legal volume in taking his own oath of office.

Maybe we can all look beyond the petty issues that divide, to instead celebrate the grand vision that unites all of us.

The Year in Religion

Sadly, there is clearly an unhealthy fascination with sex and violence in our culture. I was reminded of this all too obvious point as I recalled the most prominent religious news of 2006. Some of the stories were noteworthy for the controversy they raised. Our cultural obsession with partisan bickering was seen in the debate over the Da Vinci Code. There was no great challenge to religious orthodoxy in the fictional musings of Dan Brown, but there was no shortage of outraged Christians willing to make a spectacle decrying the suggestion that Jesus may have been a father. Remember the flap over the Gospel of Judas? I didn’t think so. Even in the theological academy there has been sustained buzz. The reason is that it was not really something new. There have been a number of narratives about Jesus that were not seen as gospel by the Church. It is an issue long settled with a history known to theological students. Difference of opinion is something that has yet to end Christianity, although it has created plenty of schisms over the years.

One piece of news this year was about yet another schism. This time it was a portion of the American Episcopal Church breaking from their communion to seek the leadership of a conservative Nigerian bishop because of their refusal to accept the ordination of homosexuals. In what seemed to be a related bit of Episcopal news, the American church elected its first female national bishop, Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori. Sadly, progressive moves to include diversity in sex and sexuality carry with them the threat of rupture.

Of course, one of the most shocking religious stories of the year was the fall of Rev. Ted Haggard. Again the issue of sexual preference caused a painful experience in the church. As leader of the National Association of Evangelicals, there was no way Rev. Haggard could have come out as a gay man and remained in the position. But the painful division went even deeper as he revealed his inner struggle to fight against his desires.

Two of the major religious stories focused on violence. One was the pope’s maneuvering in relation to Islam in explaining how he wasn’t really saying that it was a religion of violence after reading a quote stating just that. Regardless of his intent, he damaged interfaith dialogue in these already perilous times. As a remarkable counterpoint, we saw an Amish community in Pennsylvania offer forgiveness to the very sick man who tragically killed innocent children. In response to the popular question “what would Jesus do?” I hope we would agree that he would definitely have done what the Amish did and likely not what the pope did.

Finally, one of the stories that got little attention but ironically caused me both to despair and hope is the rejection of the Christian Coalition of their newly elected president, Rev. Joel Hunter. Rev. Hunter wanted the Christian Coalition to expand its focus to address the issues of poverty and stewardship of the environment. It is sad that the fear of being labeled a liberal (Hunter’s assessment) caused some Evangelicals to reject this move. On the other hand, there are signs that a number of Christians on the right such as Hunter and Jim Wallis of Sojourners are pushing for a more progressive social agenda in the name of Christianity. 2007 could prove to be a very interesting year for Christians in society if we can agree to this broader vision of Christian ethics.

Christmas Meditation

O holy night.

Was that it so very long ago?

Is tonight the night?

Will the holy night ever come?

We know so little about that silent night,

was it even silent? Surely baby Jesus cried.

Why wouldn’t he cry, born in such a miserable state?

And as he grew he must have worried and feared,

seethed and anguished,

longed and hoped.

But how can we know? How can we feel the impact of one holy night?

We need a week, no a month, maybe a year of holy nights

before we can begin to make sense of it all.

We need to struggle with the craziness of the traveling mother-soon-to-be,

the insanity of angels singing and shepherds listening,

the paranoia of a king threatened by an infant!

Give us more holy nights. Give us time to make some meaning.

O holy night.

Was that it so very long ago?

Is tonight the night?

Will the holy night ever come?

On this night, what do we know of holiness?

What angels are visiting?

Where are our shepherds?

Could it be that the pregnant woman living with AIDS who knows that her baby does not have the virus is the one to sing the Magnificat to us if we would listen?

Could we hear our sister’s soul giving glory to God that the mighty have been brought low and the thoughts of the proud scattered?

But… what if we are the mighty and the proud? What angels will come to us?

Could it be that the lives taken by plague and warfare not stilled by our mighty and proud hands may be speaking to us tonight lest we miss the miracle of the birth?

Could it be that the glory of God shining on us tonight is not the klieg light of celebrity but the searing light of truth that reveals our nakedness and shame?

O holy night, we came seeking the cooing of a baby, silence the screams of the one dying for our sins.

“We humans prefer satisfying un-truth

To the Truth that is usually unsatisfying.

Truth is always too big for us,

And we are so small and afraid.”

O holy night.

Was that it so very long ago?

Is tonight the night?

Will the holy night ever come?

And how can that holy night of peace with justice ever come when we, your people are not righteous?

Loving our little truths, we kill the prophets you send us.

Yes, even gentle Mary’s newborn; we would be Herod’s conscripts, sword in hand.

We want it all in one night: clear answers, absolute truth.

But the holy night calls us to faith,

to mystery,

to hope.

We are not a patient people; we don’t have the skill to gaze steadily.

How can we stare down oppression?

warfare?

poverty?

injustice?

We want peace in our hearts, but will we pay the price of justice in our guts?

O come, o come Emmanuel and ransom your captive people;

for we are captive to our little truths in our false certainty.

Embrace us with mystery on this silent night.

Break our hard hearts and stir the butterflies of hope in our guts.

Make us your people, united in our need to find you.

Don’t ruin our appetites by feeding us sweets.

Give us a hunger that drives us to deeper faith,

larger truths,

and common union.

O holy night, remind us this night that you hold no miracle cure, no once-a-year medication that fixes the soul.

O holy night, remind us that every other night grows from the seed of light born this night.

O holy night, remind us to look for that light tomorrow, and the next day, and next week, and next month.

O holy night, remind us that we don’t sit alone in the dark—or in the light—that there are always brothers and sisters to share the vigil with us.

O holy night, remind us to fall on our knees;

remind us to hear the angel voices.

O night divine, the night when Christ was born;

the night when Christ is born;

the night when Christ will be born;

O night divine! O night, O night divine!

Christmas Candle

The candles remain unlighted at the beginning of the service.

Introduction
On this Christmas Eve [Day, Night]
we are gathered as God’s people
to celebrate again what Christ’s coming
means to the world.
We join with Christians all over the world
who are celebrating on this holy night [day].

Readings from the Bible
Choose any or all of these readings. Each may be read by a different person.

Isaiah 9:6
For a child has been born for us,
an heir given to us.
Authority rests upon the shoulders
of the One who is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:10,14
The angel said to [the shepherds],
“Do not be afraid; for see—
I am bringing you good news
of great joy for all the people.”

Romans 5:5
Hope does not disappoint us,
because God’s love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Lighting of the Candles
Tonight [Today] we relight the four Advent candles and recall what the Good News means.

Light each candle to the words “Hope,” “Peace,” “Joy,” “Love.”

Jesus Christ is the greatest gift
who makes all these other gifts real.
So, we light the Christ candle now,
as we think about what Christ’s coming
means to each one of us.
The color of the candle is white—
symbolizing the light of day
and the light that Christ shines into the world.

The Christ candle is lit.

Prayer
We thank you, God,
for your gift of Jesus Christ to the entire world.
We thank you that Christ’s coming makes
hope, peace, joy and love
possible for every person in every nation.
Encourage us to do our part
to bring good will and peace
to our families, our churches,
our neighborhood, our world.
Now let your Spirit put us in touch with you,
the living God,
through the celebration of Christmas.
We ask this through Jesus Christ,
through whom you give us all good things.
Amen!

The Fourth Candle of Advent

The three candles lit on previous Sundays are relighted before the service begins.

Introduction
As we gather around the Advent wreath tonight,
we rejoice that Christmas is a time of prayer and of open hearts
when we sing songs of joy.
Christmas is a time of worship—
the moment when the busiest of us pause in wonder.
Christmas happens when God comes to us in love
through Jesus Christ
and fills us with love for all humankind.

Reading from the Bible
First Letter of John 4:9-11
God’s love was revealed among us in this way:
God sent God’s only Child into the world
so that we might live through him.
In this is love, not that we loved God
but that God loved us and sent the Child
to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Beloved, since God loved us so much,
we also ought to love one another.

Lighting of the Candle
We light this candle to proclaim
the coming of the light of God into the world.
With the coming of this light is love.
Such great love helps us to love God and one another.
The color of this candle is purple—
symbolizing the majesty of Christ,
who rules in the power of love.

Light the last purple candle in the wreath.

Prayer
O God, we thank you
that Jesus showed your love for every person—
babies and children, old people and young,
sick people and those who were strong,
rich people and those who were poor.
Come to us as Christmas approaches
and let love be born in our hearts
as you were born into the world on Christmas Day.
Amen

The Third Candle of Advent

The two candles lit on previous Sundays are relighted before the service begins.

Introduction
Soon we shall celebrate the birth of Jesus.
We worship God with joy in our hearts
as we are reminded of the words the angel said
on that first Christmas Day:
“Behold, I bring you good news of a great joy
which will come to all the people!”

Reading from the Bible
John 15:9-11
Jesus said: “As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you; abide in my love.
If you keep my commandments,
you will abide in my love,
just as I have kept God’s commandments
and abide in God’s love.
I have said these things to you
so that my joy may be in you,
and that your joy may be complete.”
Lighting of the Candle
We light this candle to proclaim
the coming of the light of God into the world.
With the coming of this light there is joy,
joy that is ours not only at Christmas but always.
The color of the candle is rose—
the color of the sky
when dawn breaks into the night.

Light the pink candle in the wreath.

Prayer
O Holy One, as Christmas draws near,
there is a sense of excitement in the air.
We can feel a joy in our lives
and see it in those around us.
Still, for some of us this is a sad time
because of unhappy things that have happened in our lives.
Help us to have that joy
that does not depend on earthly happiness, but on you.
Help us to be filled with your joy
so that we may share it with a joyless world.
Amen.