These days many of us have more modern approaches to spiritual holidays we celebrated in the past. Some of the lights and music may seem outmoded as we have grown more aware of a more scientific viewpoint of the unfolding of the universe. In fact, I know of a number of my colleagues who eliminate the old services altogether or turn to other nature festivals. A bit dismissive...
I think that this is a mistake and may, in some respects, be a bit dismissive of congregants who are used to the old ways. It is as if we are saying that the old traditions do not count any more, and if we behave this way, we are really missing something. While some of the old services may be overlaid with spiritual mythologies that do not make sense at some levels, they hold great internal themes wherein lie spiritual inspirations!
The depth of our own spirituality...
If Easter can no longer hold a physical resurrection that has meaning, certainly years of inspiration can contain for us an inner rising up of people when they awaken to the depth of their own spirituality. If Christmas can no longer hold a magical birth of one special child, can it now remind us that, like Jesus, Muhammed and Buddha, we are all sons and daughters of the Most High, all in the business of discovering a dawning awareness of who we are?
We wisely build on the richness of what was...
Not so fast, folks! When new awarenesses of our humanity appear, our spiritual modalities grow up with us as we wisely build on the richness of what was so that we may be lifted into a broader view of what is.
http://More Essays About Everything is now available on Amazon
You may also enjoy "On Celebrations."
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