When We Gather


They arrive at noon
bearing food and gifts,
bringing love and light
within their hearts
for all to share,
whether laughter or tears,
cookies or bread,
it’s all spread about, as
we mark forty-seven years
of opening our door
on this night, to celebrate
the birth of Jesus,
our family tradition.

Some of us are church goers,
others do not partake,
but the truth of this is,
it matters not,
as we celebrate the light,
shining within each heart.
Some days it dims as
the weight of loss pushes down,
but we know it is here,
as we spread hugs all around.

Our oldest was two
when it all began;
now, new little boys toddle
in laughter with visions of play.
We lost a generation
through these years,
yet time brings new babes
as life’s story gets told.

The light of solstice,
the light of the Christ,
the light found in Buddha,
and Amma, a Hindu saint,
whether the Tao,
or the Bhagavad-Gita,
the Tanakh, the Bible,
the words from the Koran,
or of our dear mother earth,
I am formed by it all,
in truth profound.

What rests at the core:
love, compassion, wisdom,
and giving as we are able.
For me, the true message
for us to gain.
Welcome arms open to all,
each in their own spirit found.
May our oneness be proclaimed,
at this, our blessed table.

Blessings,
Janis

The Light We Shine

Winter Solstice arrives,
we breathe a sigh,
light returns,
measured in seconds
until, once again, we
feel the joy
of illumination.

This season sings
of radiance,
candles are lit,
twinkle lights abound,
menorah, manger,
sun, all symbols for
our fascination.

Opening doors
hearts,
we find the light,
hidden within
all along, now bidden,
we are never without,
our true celebration.

A re-blog from Dec. 2022.

May we breathe peace into chaos, may we enjoy harmony in our encounters. Wishing us all joy in our days and serenity in our nights. May every day be seen as holy as we radiate light into this world.

Blessings and love,

Janis

The Light We Shine

Winter Solstice arrives,
we breathe a sigh,
          light returns,
measured in seconds 
until, once again, we
feel the joy 
         of illumination.

This season sings
of radiance, 
          candles are lit, 
twinkle lights abound,
menorah, manger, 
sun, all symbols for 
	  our fascination.

Opening the door
of our hearts,
          we find the light,
hidden within
all along, now bidden,
we are never without,
          our true celebration.

May we breathe peace into chaos, may we enjoy harmony in our encounters. Wishing us all joy in our days and serenity in our nights. May every day be seen as holy as we radiate light into this world.

Blessings and love,

Janis