One wish this Christmas

Our stories intersect and beliefs merge though different symbols and stories highlight our journey. If I had one wish this Christmas, it would be …

“The people who have walked in darkness will see a great light” ( Isaiah 9 :2)

Last night I was on a Zoom meeting with the Cobequid Interfaith Council. It has been just a year since we formed and what a year it has been! We came together at the call of one person in the community who saw a need for the spiritual communities of this place to open doors and learn from one another. At first our main focus was to organize something for Interfaith Harmony Week that was held in February. After that was accomplished we all expressed a desire to continue in conversation and in building relationships. With that in mind we have been meeting via Zoom at least once a month.

Our stories intersect and beliefs merge

We have shared with one another the festivals of our tradition, our understandings and our spirituality. This being December, we spent time last night hearing about Hanukah, the Winter Solstice and Christmas. What I have always known was highlighted again for me during this gathering –

We have far more in common than we like to admit.

Our stories intersect and beliefs merge in a variety of ways. While we may use different symbols to remind us and tell different stories to highlight our journey, what December celebrations hold in common is light. We each, in our own way, mark the coming of light into a broken and hurting world. We pray for peace and lift up hope for humanity.

Our conversation last night included many things from teaching one another about our faith traditions to sharing our own stories of living in this current reality. What emerged was a sense of hope that I find difficult to describe. The words spoken came from places of deep faith and connection and a belief that it is only together that we can change the world. As I listened I could see in the faces of those gathered a sense of joy that comes when community is formed.

If I had one wish this Christmas, it would be that this kind of connection, co-operation and genuine learning might be something that the world would wake up to. What a day that would be and what a life we would live!!!

Until then, I give thanks for those who are willing to share, who are open to diversity, who are willing to dream and who in turn become co-creators of a way of life that brings light into our midst.

Blessings
Valerie