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I have come to the conclusion that there are really two holidays in December that share the same name, utilize some of the same symbols, but which are really two distinct things. They are, if you will, homophonic holy days.
The first is called “Christmas,” and it is a Christian holy day which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God in human form, the “in-breaking” of the divine into our world. Its sacred texts are the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Among its hymns are, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” and “Joy to the World.”
The second is called “Christmas,” and it is a secular holy day which celebrates family, and community, and the joy of giving. Its sacred ‘texts’ are Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown’s Christmas, and the Miracle on Thirty-fourth Street. And, on my list, the original “The Bishop’s Wife” with Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven – which ends with a sermon I have always envied. It shares many of the hymns of the Christian Christmas, but also adds “White Christmas,” and “Winter Wonderland,” and “Sleigh Bells.”
For many years now there have been voices decrying what they have called “the attack on Christmas.” They say we all need to “put the Christ back into Christmas,” and that the “reason for the season” has been lost. I think that these folks are simply confused about these two different holidays, conflating them as if they were one. But they are not. Though sharing many things in common, they are distinct, and each is worthy of celebration.
So whether you mark Christmas or Christmas (or Hanukkah, or Solstice, or Kwanzaa, or some combination of all of the above), I wish you the very best the season has to offer.
In Gassho, Rev. Erik
As the holidays approach, I encourage all TJMC members to consider contributing to our Christmas music. On Sunday, December 11, the choir is performing in a service dedicated to the special role that music plays in our holiday lives. The TJMC Choir, I remind you, is not an auditioned group. While we do insist on excellence and demand a good deal of time and energy for rehearsals and performance, we are open to singers at all levels.
We admire and appreciate those who come in with choral experience, but do not expect that from everybody. Please give us a try: come to rehearsals on Thursday evenings at 7:15 PM in the Sanctuary, or contact me at deveaux@virginia.edu.
Scott DeVeaux
Acting Music Director
For what we are truly thankful!
As I sit at my desk gazing at the beautiful crepe myrtle outside my window, the leaves are falling, the clocks are about to be rolled back, the holidays are ahead — including my favorite, Thanksgiving — and my thoughts turn to reflections of the past year.
Personally, I have much to be thankful for, not the least being the safe and healthy arrival of my first grandchild, Georgia, born to my daughter Emma on Tuesday, November 15, and weighing in at 7 lbs 13 oz. She is beautiful.
I am also thankful for the opportunity to have served on the Board during the start of what I see as an incredible renewal of energy and excitement at TJMC-UU.
Our focus on spiritual growth, social justice, and the building of a strong community is, for me, a return to the true purpose and value of TJMC-UU. For this we can thank not just our wonderful new minister, Rev. Erik Wikstrom, but ourselves. Together we are bringing a renewed positive attitude to church on Sundays and throughout the week. It has been truly palpable to experience.
Furthermore, on reviewing our Board goals for the year I see significant progress being made in many areas. Some of these areas include people and groups actively involved in worship, music, staffing and organization, governance, facilities planning, Green Sanctuary, IMPACT, and numerous other initiatives aimed at helping to build connections and improve communication between us. Although space restricts acknowledgement of all those involved, it bodes well for our future.
I am equally heartened by the growing number of new younger members, especially those with small children. I strongly encourage you to find opportunities to serve your new-found community. I can assure you the rewards are immense.
Finally, it is incredible to reflect on the major social and political changes that have occurred nationally and internationally in the past year. Some good, some not so good, some still developing, as we have seen recently on the streets of cities and towns across America and around the world.
As someone who has always believed in the power of the people, and in the goal of social justice, I am cautiously optimistic by what I see happening. I trust that through peaceful activism and hard work we can help put America back on the road to a more just and fair society. That would be work well worth doing and if successful, something for which we could truly all be thankful.
Happy holidays to you and your family.
In Faith,
Ian Sole
President, Board of Trustees
Recently I mentioned to someone at our church how much I love seeing church members take care of each other. This person paused. And then suggested that I might share that perspective in a bulletin article. Because maybe you do not see it that way.
In my role as Ministry Associate, I often hear of church members going through a difficult time: for example, navigating the medical system, adjusting to a new family member, letting go when a loved one dies.
Being a mid-sized church, we do have systems in place to provide basic help and listening during such occasions: CareNet, Pastoral Visitors.
But a church is more than just systems. The unique nature of churches in our society is that they blend the strength of systems and the grace of love. So, when I hear of congregation members going through a hard time, I sometimes also hear in the same breath about how other church members are already bringing food, helping with moving, organizing logistics, and listening. For example, Liz Evans (who gave me permission to share this) told me that when her husband, John, recently moved to assisted living, that he seemed comforted by the fact that the people who came to move the furniture were from the church.
What gives this sense of connection and reaching out? This might be due to long years of membership and working together, or to a long affinity with Unitarian Universalism. I observe that these are a result of long term and regular reaching beyond oneself – reaching both to serve others and connect spiritually.
If you have not yet settled into relationships at TJMC, consider what allows you to foster a natural connection. A covenant group? Work parties? Participating in a group such as UUppity Women, UUGuys, Active Minds, Twenties and Thirties (TnT), or a committee? Make regular time to be with a group of people doing something meaningful beyond the group itself. In these environments, we see each other’s vulnerabilities and strengths. We might not share these any other places. Then, when we have built strong church relationships, we naturally reach out to each other.
Chaplain Alexandra McGee, MDiv.
Ministry Associate
I thought I would dedicate my column this month to some of the changes in our Sunday morning worship that you may have noticed and been wondering about. So far the feedback I have been receiving has been tremendously positive, and I am gratified by that.
In conversations at both the recent Board and Worship Weavers meetings we agreed that there is a redundancy to reading announcements that are already printed in the bulletin. And so the Board Representative – as a representative of the governing committee of the church – is now the person to welcome newcomers and members alike to each week’s worshiping community.
This removal of spoken announcements is not intended, however, to encourage people to step up to the microphone during the sharing of Joys and Sorrows to speak about their joy that… there is going to be a bake sale after church this Sunday! (Or whatever the announcement one wants to sneak in.) Let us trust that people can find out the information they need to know about the church through the various existing channels, and allow our time of Joys and Sorrows to be focused on those things that are truly “uppermost in our minds and deepest in our hearts.”
Slowly our prayer time is changing, too. The beautiful practice of lighting Candles of Hope and Remembrance has been joined by the new Sands of Forgiveness and Atonement. We are developing what might be called “prayer stations,” recognizing that we come with a variety of needs and that no one ritual act can speak to them all. No one should feel that they must go to each and every station each and every week, yet it enriches our service for there to be more options to address differing needs.
Worship is, and should be, an evolving practice. The Worship Weavers, among whom I am honored to count myself, are always open to your feedback.
In Gassho,
Rev. Erik
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