“Miracles are a change in perception

that result in hope.”

 

Dear Members and Friends of First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist,

It is a joy to write my first holiday letter to you, yet it has given me pause. I asked myself, “What shall I say to my new congregation?”

I considered telling you this: “You are a dream come true.”

Then I thought of acknowledging to you: “You are every bit as wonderful as your reputation.”

After that, I contemplated sharing good news: “Our future looks bright.” All of that is true, but in the end, I decided to tell you a story, a story of how I came to believe in miracles.

As a Unitarian Universalist, I had given up on the idea of miracles by the age of ten. They were, I thought, simply not true. In my late twenties, I began to realize that this dismissal of miracles did not serve me. The categorial way I had thrown miracles out allowed no room for mystery in my life. It also turned metaphor, music and poetry into intellectual concepts, rather than the heart openers and mind expanders that they could be.

Though an avowed nonbeliever in miracles, I somehow couldn’t give up on Christmas. I didn’t need to believe in the gift-giving, magic list-fulfilling part of the holiday, still year after year found myself sitting near the Christmas tree on dark evenings, pondering life and love and the people I cared about.

Then, in 2014 all this changed. I found a way to understand miracles, a way that opened up my life. While working on a sermon, I found myself writing, “Miracles are a change in perception that result in hope.”

I was writing about a radical experience of forgiveness toward my mother that I had undergone. Here’s what happened.

I was visiting my mother, who was dying from lung cancer. As I bent to kiss her goodbye, I told her that I would come back to see her again soon. She looked at me, as only the dying can, and said, “Why?”

In that moment, I knew that my mother had never in her life been able to take in love. How else could she wonder why I would be returning to visit her again? Years of anger and bitterness fell away from me, my heart opened, and hope made possible through forgiveness came over me. I replied, “I’m coming back, Mom, because I love you.”

That change in perception that resulted in hope was a miracle. I have been a believer ever since.

May the season of the holidays bring you good cheer, good company and quiet peace. May this New Year be one of grace, love and forgiveness. Keep your eyes and your heart open for miracles. If we are open to them, they are everywhere.

I look forward to many years of miracles with you all.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Yours, with love and gratitude,
Reverend Rebecca

Photo credit: First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist steeple by Greg Nikas.

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