Blessings of the Imagination
Grateful for past wintry days
hopping on an airplane
heading south
boarding a small boat to
Nassau or the Galapagos.
This year I’ll take my minute
vacation weekly in
the warm clear
sparkling
waters of this indoor
pool with window-walls.
Gloriously alone,
with four limbs stretched out
imagining
seaweed tickling toes while
fish glide beneath me.
Calling me out of the doldrums
sun rays pull me into
this pretend
sea where waters gently
massage worries away.
Although not featured in dream
vacation photo shoots
when quiet is
cultivated
in God’s world it becomes
an essential respite.
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Scholars from the East from Matthew 2 (The Message)
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory—this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”
Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!
They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.
Happy New Year!
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Welcoming a New Year!
Setting resolutions is not one of my fortès. Yet when committing to regular prayer, exercise, and healthy eating, it becomes a lifelong joyful practice.
Even so, I’ve not taken good enough care of myself in the last few months. As the page is turned to January 2024 my resolution is “to do what made me feel centered and whole” in the past year.
When reminiscing I remember the goodness of family and friends. It is important to do whatever buoys our spirits; walking nature paths, laughing and crying, singing and ringing, and watching the clouds drift by. What are the things that keep you whole in body, mind, and spirit?
Jesus came down from heaven to unite divine and human. Each day of life is invaluable, perhaps we would do well to take time to follow a star in the heavens instead of being ungrateful and sad. All we can really do is try our best to be kind, serve one another in love, and appreciate the life we’ve been given.
New Year’s blessings to you and yours!
Peace on earth and good will to all,
Rev. Marta Wheeler