December 31, 2006
Martin Luther King, Jr., in being asked to publish some of his sermons, wrote in the preface to his book, “. . . a sermon is directed toward the listening ear rather than the reading eye. . . I offer these discourses in the hope that a message may come to life for readers of the printed words.” This is my hope for you, dear reader.——Rev. Linda
December 31, 2006
PEACE ON EARTH:
Peace Within - Kwanzaa
We’ve really been having a wonderful time this month celebrating every week in some way, in some tradition the winter season, first with Hanukkah, then Winter Solstice, last week with Christmas, and today we end our theme of Peace on Earth with Peace Within with Kwanzaa.
It’s been a very interesting journey for me as I’ve done the research and collected up, along with Sue, all the particular items needed for each celebration, and looking into the symbolism of it all. The great thing about doing Kwanzaa is that everything that’s used is purposely symbolic, so that made it a little easier for me.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Kwanzaa, I’ll give you just a little background. Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration, focusing on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is not political or religious and, although it begins the day after Christmas, it’s not a substitute for Christmas, and has nothing to do with Christmas. It’s simply a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and their culture. It’s observed by people of all faiths.
Kwanzaa has gained tremendous acceptance since it was established in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga and is now observed by more than 18 million people worldwide. The word kwanza means "first fruits of the harvest." It may seem strange to us to be celebrating first harvest in December, but remember that in southern Africa, this is the beginning of the harvest season.
Kwanzaa, which was born out of the whirlwind of social and political changes of the sixties decade and the African-American struggle for freedom and self-identity, is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st and is based on seven guiding principles. The symbols and colors of Kwanzaa, black, red and green, are very significant. Black signifies the face of the African-American people, red is for the blood they have shed, and green is for the hope. Green is also the color of the motherland.
Kwanzaa was designed to strengthen the collective self-concept as a people; honor the past; critically evaluate the present; and commit to a fuller, more productive future. Most importantly, Kwanzaa is a way of life; not just a celebration. And I believe, as with all the other celebrations we’ve held this month, we can all benefit from Kwanzaa.
The black candle, Umoja (oo-MO-jah) signifies unity—to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race, as reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are."
Kwame Nkrumah, African leader from Ghana, said "There is a battle to be fought, there are obstacles to be overcome. There is a world struggle for human dignity to be won. Let us address ourselves seriously to the supreme tasks that lie ahead."
We’ve been focusing this month on Peace on Earth. And although I don’t particularly like the battle analogies, I think the basic message is still the same. We know that there is great power, exponential power, when two or more are gathered together in one accord. Unity. When we truly know that we’re all one, there will be no more fighting, because who will we fight with if we’re all one, when we truly know we’re one?
So this morning as we begin our Kwanzaa celebration, let’s take just a moment to go within, and I ask that we all become one with our brothers and sisters of African-American decent. For truly we are them. There is no separation. Their struggle is our struggle. Their hopes are our hopes. So right now, be that beautiful black person. Imagine your skin that rich dark color, imagine your life as a black American. And put yourself there as we celebrate Kwanzaa. Thank you.
On the table we have a pitcher of water signifying the Unity Cup. Water holds the essence of life. I invite each of you now to come forward to receive some water. Please take it back to your seat and we’ll drink it together as I read the Libation Statement.
For the Motherland cradle of civilization;
For the ancestors and their indomitable spirit;
For the elders from whom we can learn much;
For the youth who represent the promise for tomorrow;
For the people the original people;
For our struggle and in remembrance of those who have struggled on our
behalf;
For Umoja the principle of unity which should guide us in all that we do;
For the creator who provides all things great and small.
In the little bundle of affirmations you were given with your program this morning, there’s one for the black candle of unity. It says, “I am one with all that is. There is no separation. We are one.” Let’s read that together.
The red candle, Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah), signifies self-determination—to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves instead of being defined, named, created for and spoken for by others. We define our common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of our family and community.
In the words of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a Jamaican national hero, "Up you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will."
What is it you desire to accomplish? What have you set for your intention today? What is it your wrote this morning in your Demonstration Planner?
In your bundle of affirmations you have one for the red candle of self-determination. It says, “I think for myself, and seek my own answers from within. My Divine Life Coach always guides me to my highest good which must also be the highest good for all.” Let’s read that together.
The green candle, Ujima (oo-GEE-mah), signifies creative work and responsibility—to build and maintain our community together and make our sisters' and brothers' problems our problems and solve them together.
Harriet Ross Tubman said, "I freed thousands of slaves, I could have freed thousands more, if they had known they were slaves." And isn’t this exactly what we’re doing here at The Maine Beacon, freeing people from their illusions, waking them up from their dreams of suffering and separation, reminding them of their divinity?
Our founder Dr. Ernest Holmes wrote in the Science of Mind magazine, “Humankind does not face an eternal struggle against some external force that desires our downfall. The only struggle, the only battle, the only thing that needs to be overcome is our own ignorance, our own lack of awareness and recognition of the beneficent Power and creativity that is the source of all things. And we should never doubt the validity of our own considered judgment in such matters. There are no prophets other than the wise. Amidst the din and uproar of our lives, the accumulated fear, doubt, and confusion of the ages, there has always been and always will be a still, small, voice within that seeks to proclaim itself through us. Life has given us all we could ever desire. It is up to us to decide and discover for ourselves what the nature of life is, and accept it.” (Nov. 1997, p. 7)
In your bundle of affirmations you have one for the green candle of creative work and responsibility. It says, “I am responsible for my thoughts. I think only positive thoughts creating harmony in my life.” Let’s read that together.
This red candle, Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah), signifies cooperative economics—to build and maintain our own stores and other businesses and to profit from them together.
African-American philanthropist Madame C.J. Walker said, "I am not a millionaire, but I hope to be some day, not for the money, but because I could do so much to help my race." This is true intention. With that intention, she was in complete alignment with her Source, which probably explains why she was a very successful tycoon.
And in the giving is receiving. Sharing the wealth is an amazing act, because it completes the circle of giving and receiving. It’s also an affirmation that we have something to give. We have so much to give, and this morning you’re about to receive from the bounty of Goodness that’s here in this basket of fruit. So as our usher passes the basket of fruit to you, please take a piece of fruit for yourself, and let it be a symbol of sharing the fruit of our labors here at The Maine Beacon, your spiritual community.
(When all have received their fruit) In your bundle of affirmations you have one for the red candle of cooperative economics. It says, “As I receive, I give; as I give I receive. The flow is continual.” Let’s read that together.
This second green candle, Nia (NEE-yah), signifies purpose—to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Malcolm X said, "Policies change, programs change, according to time. But objectives never change. You might change your method of achieving the objective, but the objective never changes. Our objective is complete freedom, complete justice, complete equality, by any means necessary."
How willing are we to be free? Because, you see, we can’t help free someone else, if we’re not free ourselves. It’s not about politics. It’s not about wars. It’s about knowing the peace within us. It’s about knowing the freedom we have to choose our destiny. And when we know that for ourselves, really know it, then we can lead others to their freedom.
In your bundle of affirmations you have one for the green candle of purpose. It says, “As I free myself from false beliefs, so do I free others.” Let’s read that together.
This last red candle, Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah), signifies creativity—to do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "Potential powers of creativity are within us and we have the duty to work assiduously to discover these powers." And Ernest Holmes said, “You exist that Divine feeling, fire, imagination and creativity may be expressed through you. The Spirit comes to you with a new and fresh creativity. You need not ask what others have done or how they have done it. Be yourself and express life as you find it. Never imitate. Trust the self. Find the self in God and god in the self.” This Thing Called You, p. 72.2)
So this morning you have an opportunity to be creative, and in a particularly appropriate way for our Kwanzaa celebration. Sue and Barry Goldsmith have provided us this morning with some percussion instruments so that we can do a little drumming together. So if you’d take out whatever instrument you have under your chair, I’ll explain what we’ll do.
We’ll begin by having Bill play some drumming music, and when you feel like you have the beat, you can begin to add your instrument to the “orchestra,” keeping with that same beat. And of course, you can get more creative with it as we go along. So really tune in, and then join in. And when the recorded music stops, we stop. Ready?
(Bill begins the music)
Beautiful! Now if you’d just place your instruments back under your chairs, we’ll pick them up later.
In your bundle of affirmations you have one for the red candle of creativity. It says, “Divine feeling, fire, imagination and creativity are expressing through me now.” Let’s read that together.
The last green candle, Imani (ee-MAH-nee), signifies faith—to believe with all our hearts in all our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Or as the first African-American congressman, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., used to say, “Keep the faith, baby." That pretty well sums it up, doesn’t it?
In your bundle of affirmations you have one for the green candle of faith. It says, “The faith of God is in me and all things are possible.” Let’s read that together.
I want to close this series of Peace on Earth with this offering by Tarthang Tulku.
Beyond the beliefs of any religion,
there is the truth of the human spirit.
Beyond the power of nations,
there is the power of the human heart.
Beyond the ordinary mind,
The power of wisdom, love, and
healing energy is at work in the universe.
When we can find peace within our hearts,
We contact these universal powers.
This is our only hope.
In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson. "Nothing can bring you Peace but yourself."
