December Reflections - Rev. Barry Bloom

​The theme for this month is, of course, HOPE.  Every UU church in the country will be doing a variation on this theme that fits the holidays so well.  From the hope born of Thanksgiving to the bright hope that the birth of Jesus brought to the world.  
Hope is not a popular subject these days.  As progressives who have lost our world, our sense of safety and well-being, the days have been filled with an anxious review of what the tweets said today.  Or more deeply, which building blocks of democracy are wobbling today?  Where is hope for the future? When I feel that way, at my best, I recover by going on a walk in the splendor of Colorado’s style of nature, spend time with some children and elders, and go out and gaze and gaze at the stars. There is where I find my compass.  It then points to the bright future rather than grubbing along in the dark and muck of “how awful it is,” and how awful HE is.  It also reminds me that we have been here many times before and not only survived, but transformed as a result.  The stars remind me. The services that I am leading reflect these holiday and hopeful themes. I invite you to, especially, come to the Christmas Eve Day service of carols and candles and readings. As Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, this annual service will be held on Sunday morning at the regular 10:00 a.m. time and not in the early evening as in the past.  Please use that evening time to be with your families in joyful celebration of Christmas.
 
Peace,
Rev Barry Bloom