Third Sunday of Advent and Full Cold Moon

We made it through the second week of advent. It was a pretty calm and enjoyable time with the grandkids: We made cookies, set up the snow scene, and made a piñata together. This next week will be more of the same - lots of cookie making, a gingerbread house, and building excitement for a piñata party and Christmas party at the end of the week.

And tonight is the Full Moon of December, sometimes called the Cold Moon (for obvious reasons), but it is also called the "Not Bad Weather Moon" by the Kalapuya of my area, and that's generally pretty accurate. We are now at the peak of the strong-energy yang phase of the waxing moon, and will soon begin the quiet-energy yin time of the waning moon. But today it's time to CELEBRATE!

Agenda:

1. Read "Active Hope"

2. Take a vision walk
3. Celebrate Grace

4. Plan activities for family fun

5. Advent wreath ceremony

1. Read "Active Hope"

I think this might end up being my book of the year: "Active Hope - How to Face the Mess We're in without Going Crazy", by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone (2012).

The introduction describes the process I was led through several years ago at Annual Session, at a climate change interest group: We each shared a word or phrase in response to the query, "When I consider the condition of our world, I think things are getting..." The alarm bells go off whenever we sit to consider this question.

"...uncertainty is a pivotal psychological reality of our time. ... the greatest danger of our time is the deadening of our response. ... How can we even begin to tackle the mess we're in if we consider it too depressing to think about?"

"Our approach is to see this as the starting point of an amazing journey that strengthens us and deepens our aliveness. The purpose of this journey is to find, offer, and receive the gift of Active Hope."

2. Take a vision walk:

My theme this month is Grace: In the Christian tradition, grace is a gift from God, freely given to us at birth, and when we are open to it, a continual revelation. Grace is a state of being - at peace, free, filled with love & light.

The challenge to grace is rigidity and numbness; if I am closed-down and unforgiving, I will not hear the guidance and blessings that present themselves. The practices for meeting this challenge are mindfulness and saying YES.

Today I will settle into silence and access my intuitive mind - my connection to the Creator and the Inner Guide - by putting myself into a relaxed, trance-like state, and seeking a leading of the spirit. I call on the Spirit of Light to guide me, bring me clarity and open my eyes. I ask:

How can I better practice mindfulness, day in and day out? What whispers, nudges, or clarity am I receiving?  

Where in my life do you need greater peace, love, and light? How can I become better at feeling and exhibiting "goodwill for all"?

How can I remember to bend, let go, and forgive? 

How can I use my gifts this month to serve my family,  community, and the Earth, and work to create the conditions of peace?

3. Celebrate grace:

One thing I've decided about grace: I did not arrive with strings attached: I don't HAVE to use my gifts of grace for good in the world. But I can choose to receive these gifts (freely given) and reciprocate. I can choose to hear the messages and act.

Today I remind myself of my intentions, and then celebrate my accomplishments and reaffirm this theme for the next two weeks. To celebrate grace I will:

• Write about active hope.
• Settle into mindful, loving worship with my community of Friends
• Indulge in an hour of mindful painting.

4. Plan activities for family fun:

Christmas past

I remember many joyful moments with my family in advents past: Shopping together, writing cards, making cookies, putting up the tree, making gifts, Christmas parties, and watching Christmas shows. 

Now my kids are grown and have partners, so I need to coordinate activities with two other households.

And I have two grandsons to consider!

My plan is to look at each activity and project, decide whether I want to do it alone, or if I can reasonably negotiate help from my family, or if I want to turn it over for them to do on their own: I am happy to let go of some traditions and let my children take the lead.

Things to do this week to open to joy and love:

• Take care of myself so I can be calm and present for the spontaneous joy when it arises.
• Take the time to consider what others - both friends and family - want most this season. In other words, become less self-focused and more generous in all ways. 
• Be respectful, patient, and kind (no matter how stressed  I feel).
• Use my most creative thinking to find ways to celebrate together without stressing us all out.
• And communicate!

5. Advent wreath ceremony:

Tonight (and every night this week) we will light three advent candles, and recite three prayers:

"We light the first candle for the earth, which sustains us. May we cherish and care for it."

"We light the second candle for all the people of the world. May we find unity and peace."

"We light the third candle for our family and the joy and love we bring each other."