Holiday Message 2003

This written statement was also pre-recorded by Rev. Sinkford for your viewing pleasure! (Real Video Instructions)

Dear Friends:

In the days before Christmas I journeyed to Vatican City in Rome to represent Unitarian Universalism at a gathering of Religions for Peace . The timing of this meeting seemed particularly appropriate, since Christians all over the world are now celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace. At the gathering, leaders from Palestine and Israel sat and struggled to find a way to make that hope for peace real in our time. It was an honor to be present.

Rev. William Sinkford

What we know is that peace and hope are hard to find. The message of the Christian scriptures was much with me as I sat at the table in Rome. Salvation will never come from Caesar. Peace and love are matters of the human heart.

Whatever our beliefs, we are in and of this world, not some other. Dictators are dethroned and captured; others are supported in their petty and painful oppressions. Our nation reigns with a power which Rome could not imagine.

Human suffering is not an abstract theological issue, but a powerful reality in the lives of too many. Children are being killed in Afghanistan and, here at home, millions go to bed hungry each night. Suicide bombings and reprisals continue in the Holy Land as we sing of angels who announced the coming of the Prince of Peace. The relentless messages of certain hope in the Christmas carols blared over loud speakers in shopping malls are too simplistic to satisfy.

The Magi followed a star. Even today there are stars to follow. Signs of hope and possibility. Affirmation of the power of Love in a decision by a court in Massachusetts. Meals served to the poor and homeless in this season. Ramadan celebrated in our sanctuaries. The reality that on this small planet we must “all get along” is harder and harder to deny.

In this season of thin winter sun and long nights, we light candles against the dark. We search for hope. And we pray.

Spirit of Life and of Love. Dear God.

Our hearts go out to those who suffer. Not only those abroad who stand in harm's way, and not only the poorest of the poor among us. But even those of us who are most comfortable, but still live with hurting hearts.

We pray that we can forgive others, and in our turn find forgiveness. Forgiveness for the ways we have, without intention, harmed others. Forgiveness for mistakes made. For harsh words. For relationships untended. For promises unkept. Forgiveness for not being able to care about everything.

We pray for our nation and its leaders. May our nation's power be tempered by compassion and our self-interest moderated by the inescapable reality of our connected lives.

We pray for peace in our world and for peace in our hearts. We know that we must create peace. There are no other hands on earth but ours. And so we pray most for strength. Strength to endure what must be endured. To overcome what can be overcome. Strength to hold a vision of what can be, without being disheartened by what is.

We pray for hearts moved by love, and the strength to make that love real. We pray that in our lives and in our world, love will triumph over fear.

Amen.

Blessings to you all in this holiday season.

Rev. William Sinkford

Unitarian Universalist Association
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