FEATURE — For the “From Figures of Faith” series, St. George News reached out to the Interfaith Council of St. George and asked if they had a message about the holiday season they would like to share with our readers.
The following was submitted by Carmella Fitzpatrick, president of Unity Church of Positive Living, which meets in the little chapel off the courtyard of Grace Episcopal Church, 1072 E. 900 South, St. George.
Merry Christmas!
This Sunday, Unity Church of Positive Living is having a candle lighting service based on Unity’s Rev. Dr. Thomas Shepherd’s “Twelve Lights of Bethlehem.” It is also based on our co-founder’s book “The Twelve Powers of Man.”
Jesus’ ministry only lasted three years, and yet over 20 centuries later, he’s still one of the central figures in the human race, and his words and teachings still inspire over 2 billion people around the world. For most of those 20 centuries people and creeds have disagreed about exactly who and what Jesus was.
There are probably considerable differences of opinion in our own congregation, and these opinions probably aren’t the same as they were earlier in our lives. Yet in being a member of “Unity,” all those opinions are honored.
There is an old saying that “God is too big to fit in one religion.” Perhaps we can also say Jesus is too big to fit in one opinion.
Once it is understood that Jesus died for us, Unity sees Jesus as a Master teacher. He was a shining example of a human being that fully realized and demonstrated his Spiritual essence. We see him as our way-shower. Jesus showed us the way to God. He taught of an awareness of our own God nature. He came to not so much as to teach of his divinity, but about ours as well.
Charles Fillmore, co-founder of the Unity movement, based the entire movement on the invaluable gift that Jesus gave us. Teachings that were simple, plain and perhaps most important, livable.
And through these teachings Jesus gave us new ideas about loving, new ways of living and new ways of thinking. These new ways were about light, hope, forgiveness, compassion, understanding and especially love. These new ways were about the presence of all of those wonderful things inside each and every one of us through that part of our consciousness that is of God.
The entire Unity philosophy is based on the message, the teachings, the heart and soul of Jesus, and so we humbly and joyfully honor him on Sunday, Dec. 23, along with billions of people around the world.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
—Isaiah 7:14, ESV
Immanuel means “God is with us.”
Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled that prophecy because he was fully man yet still fully God. He came to live in Israel with his people, as Isaiah had foretold.
The idea of God’s special presence living among his people goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden, with God walking and talking with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day.
The Unity church meets at 1 p.m. in the little chapel off the courtyard of Grace Episcopal Church. We start with song, prayer and meditation.
Snacks are available afterwards for a social hour.
St. George News will continue to add new messages to the “From Figures of Faith” series over the weekend leading up to Christmas Day. For all faith messages, click here.
Submissions are not the product of St. George News, its editors, staff or news contributors. The matters stated and opinions given are the responsibility of the person submitting them. They do not reflect the product or opinion of St. George News and are given only light edit for technical style and formatting.
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Cool !