2009 Resolved...

Postponed from mid-December due to three feet of unexpected snow, we finally held the Candlelighting service on Sunday, January 4th in the morning, in lieu of the regular Sunday service (saving me from having to give a sermon!) I intended to light the candle of Faith, upon recommendation from a close friend, since I've been struggling with both career and relationship issues this year just past (would Faith have any help there?) But, during the description of the various powers, I became drawn to Understanding. I actually lit that one and the one next to it, Judgment, and then Zeal and Life on a whim.

Of course, there's nothing magical to me about lighting the candle (actually, the candles are lit, and we light our small candle from the appropriate lit power.) I think, for me, that the power chosen allows me to set an intention for the year. Having the ritual in January was just as powerful as having it in December, and perhaps even a bit more apropos, except for the fact that all of the music we rehearsed so intently, and performed that morning, was Christmas music - Silent Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, The Twelve Days of Christmas, O Little Town of Bethlehem, etc... A bit of a flashback, especially since we were hit with snow, again, after the first bit had melted away on the 2nd.

So, what powers speak to you in this year of 2009?


THE TWELVE POWERS

Faith: Ability to say "Yes" to any good thing and have it happen; draws my good from the invisible to the visible

Strength: Ability to be still and hold my center when I am in chaos; allows me to stick with Divine Ideas

Love: Ability to see and know all as one; ability to desire that only good come to all

Power: Ability to change and build consciousness; to choose my thoughts and feelings

Imagination: Ability to give shape and form to unformed mental energy; vision beyond appearances

Understanding: Ability to know that God stands under all things; knowing how to accomplish; knowing in my own heart

Judgment: Ability to discern, evaluate, and make decisions; allowing Divine Wisdom to flow through me

Will: Ability to be willing to say "Yes" to God; always seeking the good for all

Order: Ability to develop consciousness in proper sequence: mind, body and affairs

Zeal: Ability to move forward through spiritual motivation; results in enthusiasm and joy

Renunciation: Ability to give a "No" response in or to the untrue and undesirable; helps me eliminate errors

Life: Ability to mend, restore, and draw upon the living Christ within us for all functions