SPRING FORTH NOW

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Matthew 1:18-25

The Christmas season is here, we celebrate the coming of Christ, the one who brings salvation-deliverance and in a commercial sense, the coming of Santa Claus with gifts, both of which causes celebration and joy. Although, Christmas ignites celebration and joy, it is in the midst of the reality of our present lived experiences; increased violence rooted in hopelessness and increasing wealth disparity, natural disasters fueled by climate change, polarization which is a by-product of a decline in social capital: community, and on top of it all, an increasingly rampant COVID pandemic. Life appears to have no rest for the weary, a longing for answers, deliverance for lasting celebration and joy. I suggest to you that in the midst of life's challenges, deliverance and the receiving of the gifts of celebration and joy is possible and it begins with you. Create “sweet spaces” of rest in your life that gives you the opportunity to recalibrate your focus from what is wrong to what is good, use that position to transform your spaces into that which should be, Reimagining Outcomes. Mount up on wings as an eagle and Soar, allow the wind, the Spirit of what should be lift you beyond your present realities to spaces of celebration and joy. Reimagining Outcomes will challenge you to take courage in making decisions that are unselfish; not just what is good for you but instead what is good for your entire space, community. The courage to make unselfish decisions is rooted in you conquering your fears in order to live in the fullness of joy. By no means do I suggest that this is an easy task, courage takes willpower to believe, despite your circumstances. Jospeh chose to believe and took the courage by not shaming Mary and marrying her with child and owning his decision, in so doing, he brought forth life to all, joy and celebration in the midst of it all. Awaken from the sleep of the weariness of life and Reimagine Outcomes in which you choose life over death, freedom over fears, and live, Soar!