Welcome to this meditation space as we reflect on a Christmas like none other.
I invite you to close your eyes and allow yourself to be transported.
Transported away from the to-do lists.
Away from the lists entitled,
If only I could do this.
And enter that quiet space that we can always find inside when we make it our business to slow down and stop.
So close your eyes,
Relax your shoulders,
Take a deep breath in and let it out with a contented sigh.
Realise that we can find peace in the midst of confusion.
We can find contentment in times of dissatisfaction.
We can find this peace and contentment by reflecting on the wonder that is our existence right here,
Right now and giving thanks for all that we have.
This is a Christmas time without precedent.
Who would have thought in the early days of the coronavirus crisis that we would be struggling with this still at the end of 2020.
But here we are and this is the reality.
In meditation,
In our moments of quietness,
This is always the invitation that opens to us.
To become aware of the reality of our circumstances.
And to reflect on how we interact with that reality.
And to decide how we might make our contribution to the sum total of human happiness.
Let's pause for a few moments of mindful breathing.
Welcome back.
Our first thoughts today must be feelings of gratitude for all the frontline workers who've laboured day and night the world over to help people deal with COVID-19.
How could we thank people enough who've risked their own lives and health in order to protect others?
It's a heroic work that will never be forgotten.
We think of the people working in nursing homes,
Care homes and the special protection that they provide for vulnerable people in their care.
The best efforts of all concerned have been unable to avoid people dying as a result of this virus.
So many people losing loved ones in painful circumstances where the normal end of life comforts have not been possible.
Even those who have been bereaved through accidents and illnesses other than COVID have been unable to have the hugs and comforts that are the norm in situations of loss.
We think of all these people,
The people lost,
The people bereaved and the people providing comfort and help.
Let's pause again.
Welcome back.
But now it's time to look at the bright side,
Examples of cooperation between people at its very best.
We give thanks for the countless people who've helped keep the wheels turning in challenging times.
People whose work leaves us with food on the table and services operating despite all the difficulties.
We have seen scientists and virologists cooperating as never before to find remedies and vaccines that have provided light at the end of this tunnel.
We give thanks for them all.
Let's have another pause.
Welcome back.
Christmas is traditionally a time when families come together.
It can involve an intergenerational happy mix and this year that mixing has to be limited as never before in the interest of everyone's health.
This is a painful loss but thanks to all our amazing means of communication it doesn't have to be a time of absolute separation as would have been the case in times past.
We can be thankful for that.
And in mourning the fact that we can't have the social interaction that many people enjoy at this time we have to keep in mind too people for whom Christmas has been a time of loneliness anyway.
It's never been easy to be alone at a time when everyone else is expected to be together and cheerful.
For those who are alone by necessity or design we have to offer the assurance that this is alright.
Everyone to their own.
But don't be afraid to reach out if you feel you need to.
Anyone is ready and willing to listen,
To help,
To be there in a time of need.
Let's pause again for a few moments.
Welcome back.
So let us be grateful for this time of year even in this and especially in this extraordinary year.
We may be limited in what we can do but let's remember all the kindness and goodness that this season generates.
The celebration of the birth of a baby in a stable has as we know become rather commercialised,
Highly commercialised.
But despite and maybe because of this,
The tinsel,
The lights,
The hectic shopping we celebrate this season of goodwill.
We renew old acquaintances.
We make contact with people whom we may not have spoken to since last Christmas.
We exchange greetings and presents.
And Santa makes his rounds despite any restrictions.
We remember the story of the Christmas truce in the awful trenches of World War One.
That's a heartwarming story of humanity.
If you don't already know about it,
You can check it out online.
A wonderful story of hope.
It reminds us of the message of the angels referred to in the ancient Christmas story.
Peace on earth and goodwill to all.
That message of hope is renewed in us each time we celebrate and however we celebrate Christmas.
So now before we end,
Again we close our eyes,
Relax those shoulders,
Take a deep breath in and again let it out with a contented sigh.
Realise that we can find peace in the midst of any confusion.
We can find contentment in times of dissatisfaction.
We can celebrate this special time.
Finally once more,
The divine in me bows to the divine in you.
Let's all take care of one another in the days and weeks and months ahead.
Namaste.
