... giving and receiving.

Christmas marks the birth of Jesus: “the greatest gift to the world.” In keeping with that spirit of generosity, we give presents to one another. (And Santa comes with treasures for good little girls and boys!) Every December we place immense emphasis on getting just the right thing for the right person.

Yet a Bethany member once declared that it wasn’t until he became seriously ill that he learned how to receive. He remarked that while his cancer was not a blessing, his response to it was. He said he was learning to ask others for help and for prayers. For someone whose career had been focused on helping others rehabilitate themselves, he now found himself on the receiving end. Up until his death, he proclaimed that just as much as “God loves a cheerful giver,” God loves a cheerful receiver.

During the month that lies ahead—the month traditionally promoted as filled with joy—we are bound to feel moments of sadness and longing. We may grieve for loved ones no longer with us. We may feel overwhelmed by finances or schedules. (We may even come down with the ‘flu!)

Let’s remind ourselves that the infant Jesus was as vulnerable and weak as any other newborn, needing infinite care and love. And know that this same comfort and aid is always available to us from friends and family. And from God, the greatest Gift-giver of all.

—CBS

Receiving is often harder than giving. Giving is very important: giving insight, giving hope, giving courage, giving advice, giving support, giving money, and most of all, giving ourselves. Without giving there is no brotherhood and sisterhood.

But receiving is just as important, because by receiving we reveal to the givers that they have gifts to offer. When we say, “Thank you, you gave me hope: thank you, you gave me a reason to live; thank you, you allowed me to realize my dream,” we make givers aware of their unique and precious gifts. Sometimes it is only in the eyes of the receivers that givers discover their gifts.

–Henri Nouwen

… giving thanks.

This is historically the month for giving thanks. For food on the table, for family and friends, for paychecks, for roofs over our heads. But for every blessing we can count, we can recall even more terrible, embarrassing, dangerous, thoughtless, angry or foolish things we have done. Years later, we are still pointing blame at ourselves and considering ourselves unworthy of God’s care and comfort. But God accepts us just as we are, because He knows our human struggles and frailties. (He made us in His image, after all!) You are the total sum of your experiences; they’ve made you the person you are today. Take time this month to number not just blessings, but how far in life you have come — and what you have overcome — and are, through the grace of God, becoming.

—CBS

… finding time.

As winter looms closer, the days shorten. Soon (November 3, for those who like to plan ahead) Daylight Saving Time will end, initially granting us an extra hour of sleep but inevitably dooming us to nights that commence as early as our afternoon coffee breaks. The clock ticks, the calendar pages rustle, and we find ourselves counting the days until the sun again beams brightly. During this time of waiting—for the sun (and for those of you already counting the days until Christmas) THE Son—we can reassure ourselves of the constancy of God’s love for us. AND to try to meet the challenge He has issued to each of us: to love one another, regardless of circumstances and differences. This admittedly is not always easy to do. But we’ve got lots of time to work at it.

— CBS

… preparing to harvest.

Autumn is here, a time for reaping and giving thanks. Yet in looking at the torn and troubled world around us, we sometimes feel our spirits as parched as our sun-dried California lawns. God tells us, however, to not give up … that we are to be patient and do what we can, within the scope of our own influence, to make the harvest rich and plentiful for those around us. This month, look for beauty in the season’s change … and for opportunities to serve.

—CBS

…freedom and justice for all.

With freedom comes responsibility—to see that others are treated fairly and respectfully. Let freedom ring in our nation, and beyond all borders, overcoming hatred, distrust and fear.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is freedom.
— 2 Corinthians 3:17

… renewing the spirit.

Pentecost is when we remember that from centuries ago, the Spirit of God still calls to us, fills us … and empowers us to live and serve as His committed, caring, compassionate people.

Spirit of the Living God,
fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me
fill me, use me,
Spirit of the Living God,
fall afresh on me.

art by Rev. John “Stushie” Stuart

… acting with courage.

Be brave! When you know God is on your side, you find yourself stronger and more capable.

This month, step out of your comfort zone and stand up for something in which you truly believe.

photo by Gary Gardner

… rejoicing in the resurrection.

As we marvel again at Christ’s return to life, we can think about how we—as God’s children—are each day given new chances and choices to love one another and to be Christ’s presence in the world.

Here and there even in our world, and now and then, even in ourselves, we catch glimpeses of a New Creation, which, fleeting as those glimpses are apt to be, give us hope both for this life and for whatever life may await us later on.
― Frederick Buechner

... bringing about positive change.

When we see something amiss in the community … do we SAY something?

Do we DO something?

Is it safe to intervene? Is it sane to get involved? Will anything we do even make a difference?

The answers are not always clear. But God asks us to do our best. 

We can pray for discernment and direction about how we should act in all sorts of likely circumstances. We can learn how to advocate for those who are defenseless. We can educate ourselves about resources and find ways to help others with specific needs. We can grow in courage and lose the instinctive fear that keeps us from authentically connecting with those who are different, difficult or disenfranchised. And perhaps most important of all, we can be loving, caring and kind to everyone we meet. The “somethings” we say and do help us be the hands of God in the world.

—CBS

... loving like God does.

Ah, love. This month is when we celebrate Valentine’s Day and enjoy all of the little niceties that come with it: a heart-shaped box of candy … a romantic candlelit dinner … sweet cards … flowers and … what’s missing? The recognition that honoring the greatest love of our lives just isn’t possible by visiting fancy restaurants or stationery stores. (Nor through chocolate, although chocolate comes heavenly close!) God never gets a valentine, but still He loves us with a passion and sincerity greater than any other. He asks little of us; mainly that we follow the examples set by His Son, Jesus, and establish God as a priority in our lives. And because God loves us, it is our responsibility to love others.

—CBS

… new year, new start.

January seems an odd time to talk about cherry blossoms. They won’t be blooming in Sacramento for at least another eight weeks. But you can already see the subtle signs that buds will soon be here. Debuting in pastel splendor every spring, the blossoms symbolize renewal. And because they are so short-lived, they are a reminder of how even the most transient (and often trivial) of pleasures should be cherished. “Life is too short,” they seem to say, “to worry about yesterday and its shortcomings; look instead to TODAY, embrace it and fill it with promise and beauty.” The new year is underway. You have again been presented with 365 brand-new days. Joy, wonder, forgiveness and healing are all possible when you ask Christ for guidance. Start anew. Start with a light heart. The cherry blossoms are waiting.

—CBS