Christmas morning and light is sparkling everywhere. The light is sparkling in my soul, in my cells, in the Holy Spirit that surrounds me in this room. The light is soft and the gentle sun is shining in my windows like the gentle son of god in my life. Jazzy music bursts out on the radio, and though I am alone in my living room, Steve still in bed, my parents in India, my sister on Orcas Island with her new family, my roommate house sitting for friends near a large television, I feel blessed and feel all of their loving presence in my life. I can sense friends far away sitting around their Christmas trees, their children drowning in wrapping paper and cocoa. Like always, my cats and dogs are close, and I have someone to sing Merry Christmas to and share the joy and love of the day through tactile touch. It is not just another day. It is a day that reminds me I was born into this life loved and I will pass from this life loved; that I am cared for and watched over through every move, twist and gyration of my life. I feel blessed that I have been given the gift to write and that you, whoever you are and wherever you are on this planet, are reading it. The gifts and blessings I have been shown in this life are insurmountable. I know now that suffering is man-made, and much of it is my own. I know that there is purpose to it, and yet it is avoidable by keeping Christ in my mind and heart. Today is about worship. This day is for thankfulness. This day is filled with the love and light of new beginnings and unbroken hearts. Today is a prayer for healed nations and young sick children. Today there is hope for the homeless and lonely. This day is about hope for all the good stuff in life, and knowing that we belong, are loved, and so very gifted.

I spent a lovely evening last night at my friend’s mom’s house with beautiful people, and we prayed lovingly over a beautiful meal and played games and hugged each other with our hearts, arms, love and praise. Merry Christmas to you, may you feel blessed, and wherever you are and no matter what you are doing, know that you are loved; that you were created by and are cherished by the light.