Silent Journey

The house was dark that night.  Only a small slice of the full moon was visible through the thick black storm clouds.  She reached for the bathroom door, turning the knob so slowly… so gently… making no noise.  Small bare feet tiptoed out into the hallway, and no one heard the silent steps to the kitchen.  No one heard the freezer door open or saw the thin sliver of light, just the width of her tiny child's body.  She stood in the narrow space, feeling the coolness on her flushed face, and it made her think of snow; cold, white, pure, lovely snow, untouched and sparkling under the full moon.  Her mind slipped away into the picture, falling backwards in a snowy drift, and feeling the cold begin to numb the pain – melting the fire inside her away into nothingness.  So quiet… so peaceful… so safe and invisible.

The dog nuzzled her foot, cruelly jolting her back into her body, into the pain and shame of things that she had not been able to wash away, no matter how many times she had rinsed the red stain from the washcloth.  She had no idea how long she had been standing there, but her face was almost numb with cold.  She dared not risk the squeak of the refrigerator door, so tonight would have to be a grape Popsicle from the freezer and a handful of M&Ms hurriedly snatched from the bowl on the counter.  She slipped the bright colored candies into her pocket, and hid the Popsicle inside the folds of her robe… just in case.  But this would be a good night, and no one would stir to interrupt her sad silent journey... back to her only reward for a job well done.

The Land of New Beginnings

 Babe Ruth  "BABE"

The best dog ever... run free baby boy!!  I love you forever!

In the forest Land of Dream Time where the sunshine of day melts into the moon-glow of night, there lives an enormous brown bear known as Dream Catcher.  At her side stands Bright Spirit, a magnificent gray wolf with glossy coat and glistening eyes.  Despite their size and strength, Dream Catcher and Bright Spirit are wise and gentle spirits.  They offer their power willingly to those who seek their help.  Together they stand at the Dream Gate, waiting for the chance to catch bad dreams and snatch them away from sleeping children.  All the children are grateful to have such brave and loving protectors standing guard at the Dream Gate, and they trust Dream Catcher and Bright Spirit to watch over them through the night.

One clear starlit night, Dream Catcher and Bright Spirit were busy at the Dream Gate.  They would grab a bad dream, and hurl it with all their strength into a far deserted end of the Universe, where it could never hurt anyone again.  Suddenly, they heard a little girl sobbing into the night.  Dream Catcher sent Bright Spirit to see if a nightmare had escaped them and was the cause of the child's tears. 

Bright Spirit crept silently into the weeping child's room, being very careful not to waken or startle her.  He sat quietly at the foot of her bed, watching for signs of a nightmare.  Then he realized the little girl was awake and was not dreaming at all.  When the child spotted Bright Spirit, she saw him as a soft warm creature and was not the least bit frightened.  But she continued to cry, so the wolf asked her what was wrong. 

"It's Tippy," said the little girl between sobs.  "He was my best friend in the world.  He was with me since I was a tiny baby, and now he died and went away forever.  Mommy says Tippy is in a beautiful place with lots of other animals.  But I miss him so much my heart feels like it's melting away."

 

Bright Spirit leaned over to the little girl and very gently laid one huge paw on her shoulder.  The child turned and threw her arms around the wolf's soft furry neck, and slowly her sobs began to stop.  When she was quiet, Bright Spirit nuzzled her back onto her pillow and gently pulled the blanket over her up with his teeth.  Then the great wolf spoke.

"I am a watcher in the Land of the Dream Time, and my job is to help children have happy dreams.  I have some friends who live in the Land of New Beginnings.  I will tell them of your sadness, and they will help you."  Then Bright Spirit sat by the little girl's bed until she fell into a sweet and peaceful sleep.

The journey to the Land of New Beginnings was a short one for the powerful gray wolf.  It took only a few moments to locate his friends.  The sleek chestnut horse Pathfinder was galloping across the rolling green hills with a herd of new arrivals.  The strong and beautiful dog Golden Guide was playing in the stream with a small red terrier who had only been in the Land of New Beginnings for a short time.  Pathfinder was ready to begin the search for the little girl's dog immediately, but Golden Guide knew they did not need to search.  Tippy was the little wet dog splashing in the stream next to him.

As quick as the twinkle of a star Tippy was sent with Pathfinder and Golden Guide to let his little girl know he was okay.  In a wonderful dream Tippy told his girl that he was in a special place with dogs, cats, horses, wolves, bears, and all kinds of wonderful animals who were friendly and kind.  In this dream Tippy showed the child that the place was very beautiful, with rolling green hills to run on, sparkling streams to splash in, and all the playmates he could ever want.  Tippy introduced his owner to Pathfinder and Golden Guide, and told the little girl that these gentle wise animals were the keepers of the Land of New Beginnings, where all creatures have a new start.  Most important, Tippy told his little girl that he would always be a part of her.  If she ever felt sad or just wanted his company, she could close her eyes, call to him, and his spirit would be with her in a flash.  After that, Tippy licked the tears from the little girl’s face, gave her a big wiggly puppy hug, and told her good night.  His friend was sleeping peacefully when the little dog returned to the gateway of the dream world.  There he stood watch for the night with Dream Catcher and Bright Spirit, just to make sure the little girl's sleep was sweet and peaceful.

In the forest land of Dream Time where the sunshine of day melts into the moon-glow of night, there lives an enormous brown bear known as Dream Catcher.  At her side stands Bright Spirit, a magnificent gray wolf with glossy coat and glistening eyes.  Sometimes they are joined by a strong and graceful chestnut brown horse and a large powerful golden dog.  All the children are grateful to have such brave and loving protectors in the Land of Dream Time and the Land of New Beginnings.  And once in a while, Pathfinder and Golden Guide bring along an extra friend like a small red terrier named Tippy.

The Festival of Lights

Most everyone has heard of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, but many who celebrate Christmas know little more than that Jews get eight nights of gifts instead of just one. How many Christians actually know what miracle Hanukkah commemorates or how important it is to the way their own spirituality has evolved? 

It was 164BC, and the Jews had been conquered yet again by an oppressive enemy.  In an attempt to assimilate conquered nations into a controllable society, the Greek empire prohibited any other religion.  Jews were forced to abandon their faith and ordered to worship Greek gods.  By decree, the Temple of Jerusalem was turned into a Greek shrine, and Jews were forbidden to study the Torah, celebrate their holidays, or practice Jewish customs.  Many Jews disobeyed - and died for their spiritual commitment.  After 3 years of Greek domination, the Maccabees, a priestly family of Jews who organized a rebellion against the ruler Antiochus IV, were successful in overturning Greek rule, and the Temple was restored to Jewish ownership.  Tragically, it had been totally desecrated by the Greeks, so as part of their reclamation and rededication ceremony, the Maccabees began an eight-day purification rite. They could find only enough oil to keep the Temple menorah - a candelabrum with eight branches – lit for one day.  The miracle of Hanukkah was that despite the shortage of oil, the sacred menorah burned continuously for all 8 day!   

Many who celebrate Christmas believe that Hanukkah is a festival that has relevance only for those who practice Judaism.  But we who believe that all peaceful spiritual paths are sacred know the truth of what Rabbi Harold Kushner points out in his book To Life: a Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking; "If it weren’t for Hanukkah, we wouldn’t be celebrating Christmas."  If the Maccabees had not bravely rebelled against the Greeks, the Jewish faith most likely would have faded into Greek culture, never to be heard of again.  There would have been no Jewish community for Jesus to be born into a century and half later.  There would have been none of the messianic promises he claimed to fulfill.  "Without Hanukkah", says Rabbi Kushner, "there would have been no Christmas.”

Those who follow the teachings of Jesus, if they truly search for their spiritual roots, will find that by faith, they belong to the House of David.  Jesus lived his entire life as an observant Jew.  He celebrated Hanukkah as a child, and the last supper was a Passover Seder.  All the apostles and most of those who became his early followers were Jewish.  The crowds who came to hear Jesus speak called him Rabbi, the Hebrew word for teacher. It would seem that historically and traditionally, Christmas and Hanukkah are inseparably and undeniably linked!

Sacred oil in a temple – a magical star shining over a stable.  Miracles are of one spirit, not of one faith.  Miracles are for anyone who believes.  That is the heart of Hanukkah and the soul of Christmas.  The more we allow ourselves to recognize the wisdom and truth of other spiritual paths, the closer to Wholeness and true Unity we become.

Hanukkah Sameach, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Namaste!