Monthly Archives: December 2010

As we enter the winter holidays, I recall Camus’ observation, “In the midst of darkest winter, I discovered within me an invincible summer.”

Perhaps at this time more than others, we notice time’s passing. Our festivals of light amidst the dark are all about hope. It is helpful then to be reminded of our Universalist teaching: all souls are worthy of divine love, and, therefore, of human love.

We Unitarian Universalists are a people of hope always and in all ways! No matter how flawed or frail the human condition, our faith teaches us to not give up, to be ever on the lookout for an act of kindness, a bright child, or a community of dedicated souls who will usher in the era of peace, justice and love. No matter how dark things look nor the time of year, moving toward light and hope is in part our ministry.

Thank you, good fellow Unitarian Universalists, for your steadfast loyalty to our faith. May the turning of the year renew your hope and inspire your dedication in the year ahead.

As my Norwegian ancestors put it, may you truly have God Jul (or Gledelig Jul) and a happy Godt nytt år!

Rev Kenn

Perhaps you’ve heard of the dueling billboards in New York City.

A group of atheists has posted one which says, You KNOW it’s a Myth. This Season, Celebrate REASON!, overlaid on a typical image of the Magi and the Manger scene. This prompted the Catholic League to post its own message, You Know it’s Real. This Season Celebrate Jesus, alongside an adoring Joseph and Mary.

In this instance, the atheists equate myth with “not so,” or perhaps even “false,” in contrast to its larger meaning of a story that gives meaning to an event. Religious scholars are quick to agree with the atheists here: it is unlikely that there was a real event as described in Matthew and Luke. However, that does not make the story un-reasonable. They would also say that myths evoke a different level of human knowing. The traditional birth story celebrating Jesus reminds us of the preciousness of every child, any one of which, truly, can be the hope of the world.

It is a peculiar form of linguistic fundamentalism to want poems and stories to be merely factual. Yes, there is danger in confounding story with fact (such as the Genesis story of creation). Still, we humans need stories to stir our hearts. To me, the important question of any religious symbol or story: Does it give life to our living?

It is the Unitarian Universalist practice of faith to resist fundamentalisms of any sort, seeking ever more the rich meanings of life found in all human expression. When a story gives life, we will rejoice, singing, “Joy to the World.”

Blessings on you and yours this Season of Reason, Fantasy and Hope.

Rev Kenn