OUR CANDLE

February 1, 2026

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"A light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” – Luke 2:32

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Today is the Sunday nearest February 2nd, which is traditionally known as Candlemas, a celebration of dedication, of purification, and of light. Occurring 40 days after Christmas, the day marks a threshold moment. The last remnants of the Christmas season are passed, and the new year is now fully underway; yet its direction may still be unclear to many of us.

 

Candlemas has long been associated the lighting of candles, and the candle itself becomes a powerful image for the kind of life Jesus taught us to live. A candle is small, as we are called to be meek and to not elevate ourselves. It is steady, continuing to give light even if it sometimes flickers. It is illuminating, shedding a gentle light on everything around it without being overwhelming, as we are called to be a gentle witness. And a candle is ordinary, not rare or dramatic, just as Jesus called ordinary people into lives of service, thankfulness, and meaning.

 

In Luke’s gospel, the story begins with Mary and Joseph bringing their child to the temple in Jerusalem, acting “according to the law of Moses.” Luke repeats this phrase to emphasize that what unfolds here is grounded in the religious customs of the people, a prescribed communal practice. Jesus entered the story of the gospels not apart from first-century Jewish life, but fully within it.

 

The rituals Luke references come from long-standing traditions. Leviticus describes a period of purification following childbirth: not a moral judgment, but a restoration of ordinary communal religious life. Exodus speaks of the redemption of the firstborn, recalling Israel’s shared memory of deliverance and belonging. These practices are not done for their own sake but root communal faith in remembrance and responsibility.

 

Mary and Joseph appear simply as faithful participants, carrying out the traditions entrusted to them. Through their actions, we see that Jesus was formed within a living faith before he ever spoke in his own voice. Faith, the story says, is practiced more than it is proclaimed.

Luke adds an interesting detail that grounds the scene even further. The offering Mary and Joseph bring is not a lamb, the default offering, but two birds: the provision allowed for those who could not afford more. This isn’t explained, but it matters. It places Jesus’ family among the ordinary working people of their time: neither destitute nor wealthy, certainly without flocks of livestock or other excess. We do know, however, that Jesus later functions as a rabbi, which implies education, training, and communal support, yet nothing here suggests privilege or abundance. Even so, the act of faith is the same. The ritual is no less meaningful because the offering is more modest. Spiritual depth, Luke suggests, does not depend on abundance or advantage, but on faithfulness practiced as life allows.

 

Luke tells us that among those present in the temple that day was Simeon, a man shaped by years of devotion and attentiveness. He represents the voice of a lived faith, someone who has spent a lifetime reflecting on what God’s promises might look like when they take shape in an ordinary life. When Simeon speaks, he names what this moment, the dedication of Jesus, means to him. Drawing on the language of light, Simeon desires a hope made visible, a faith meant to be seen and shared: “a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” These words affirm something meaningful has come into view, something that’s clearly seen, worthy of trust and attention.

 

The reason this event is remembered with a candle is because the image Simeon offers is not of a blazing sun or commanding light, but illumination itself. Candlelight does not force attention or demand agreement. It simply reveals what is already present, making the immediate world more visible and more navigable. In this way, light becomes a fitting image for the life Jesus would later embody. His teachings do not compel by force, nor coerce by rhetoric; they clarify how to live with integrity and compassion. The example of Jesus makes faithfulness visible in human terms: through care for others, attentiveness to the overlooked, and trust in the slow work of love. The newly dedicated light allows recognition, inviting people to see more clearly and to walk more carefully in the world they share. It also teaches us to shine our own lights gently but steadily. As the old saying goes, “Do not shout at the darkness; light a candle.”

 

The setting of this event at forty days after Jesus’ birth also matters. Forty days is a symbolic span in the biblical literature. It marks a span of time long enough for beginnings to become real, for novelty to give way to formation. Later in the gospels, Jesus fasted for forty days. The end of forty days is not really a moment of arrival, but of readiness. Faith often works this way as well. It takes time for meaning to settle, for hope to become visible, and for light to be recognized rather than merely proclaimed. Many of us live in this in-between space, on a kind of forty-day journey, carrying what has been given to us while still learning what it asks of us. Seen by the light of Jesus’ teachings and example, this season becomes an invitation to take that leap into readiness.

 

Candlemas, then, comes to us not as a declaration to be defended or an obligation to be fulfilled, but as an invitation we may receive. It reminds us that faith is lived through presence, care, and attention to the world around us. And we see that world by whatever light we choose to “turn on.” Not only that, if we shine a gentle, generous light, we can help others see the world in a positive way. We are not asked to overwhelm the world with blinding brightness, but to remain steady and faithful where we are placed. Like a candle, a life shaped by love does its work simply by being lit: by showing up, offering gentle clarity, and making space for others to take their own journeys toward seeing clearly. As we move forward from this threshold day, may we tend the light entrusted to us with patience and humility, allowing it to be nourished by the teachings and example of Jesus. Even a small flame, if we keep it faithfully, can illuminate the path ahead.

 

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” – Psalm 27:1a

 

Rev. Brian J. Kelley

Director of Ministry Resources, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

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ASK YOURSELF WHY

 

January 25, 2025

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Is the true purpose of life, and of “religion,” to help humanity “find God?” No, it is to the end that humanity will look within itself and find the “Essence of God” that gives life and being to our individual selves and all else. It is then that we begin to become what we are designed and created to be. It is then that the purpose of our being is revealed, not for ourselves but for all creation. For it is then that we realize we are but one tiny particle of the whole of creation that must come together in unity, peace, and compassion for all to ever be what we are designed and created to be. God knows we can’t truly “know God.” But God wants us to accept that “God is,” and has designed and created us to live as we are meant to.

 

Creation did not begin as the whole it is, nor as the pieces of that whole we see today or envision from ancient myths. In today’s world, we now know that all creation, all that exists within the known universe, began as tiny subatomic particles that were designed and created to come together in unity to become all that is, including you. We now know that the unification of those basic particles was the building block of all creation, and the perfection in that reality is testimony to the “Intelligent Design and Creation” of all that is the cosmos. This was the birth of all creation, and it continues to this day.

 

When we look with reason and intelligence at the creation we are part of, we often overlook the most important reality of all. It isn’t in the individual particle or in the elements or matter that eventually become us, but in the obvious purpose of it all. From the beginning, in its most elemental state, to the evidence of all existence we observe today, the one component that makes it all possible is “how these individual particles, different as they are, come together to become the wonderful thing that creation is.” From the entire cosmos itself to the newest just-created particle, creation is designed and created by a “Spirit, Power, Energy, Force” beyond our comprehension that began it all and continues to this moment and will for eternity.

 

We can never know the “Designer and Creator,” but the “Essence of God” is all around us. We dwell within that “Essence,” as does the entire cosmos, and that “Essence” dwells within all that lives and has being. Nothing exists without being created, and nothing is sustained without a “Spirit, Power, Energy, Force” that enables it to be. That source is known by many names, and none are truly sufficient; it has been observed by humankind since our beginning, and no one has ever found it, and never will. We are looking in all the wrong places for something beyond our comprehension, driven by a desire for unity with our Creator that is inherent in every fiber of our being. The “Spirit” within each of us, that “Lifeforce” that gives us being, longs for the “hand that created it.” That’s what we find in religious spirituality. Perhaps if we saw that unity as it can only be seen, we would find our way. Unity with our Creator is found when we unite with all creation, and that begins with one another. Imagine all that we can be and do when we come together as we were created to be.

 

When we, as a created species, wake up and accept the reality that our future, indeed the future of our species and planet, depends on our accepting the reality that we were designed and created to be, and on coming together as “One,” we will be on the right path. Just as there is only “One Creator,” we are to be the image of that Creator. That means accepting each other unconditionally, without judgment or condemnation, and being what we were designed and created to be. Until we do, we are climbing a hill, and if we don’t accept that reality, we will truly never be all we can be. Unity and peace are the foundation of humankind; they always have been and always will be the basis of who we truly are and the only things that will sustain us into the future.

 

Before each of us is the rest of our lives. What will you make of it? How will you spend it? Most will continue on the path of upward mobility they think they are on, continue to lust after more and more wealth and power. Thinking within themselves, this is life. When in reality, that isn’t life at all. It may be worldly success, which is temporary; it may bring fame and fortune, which is temporary; it may bring you to a place, such as now, where you ask yourself, "Why?" It is then that reality speaks to you. Will you listen?

We live in a time and place where morality is measured more by our wealth, social status, and position than it should be. We live in times that are trying and difficult and growing more so each day, but we refuse to stop long enough to give ourselves a "reality check." We struggle and complain, but the answer to our problems is always just outside our reach, and we wonder, "Why?" The answer to our problems is simple: when we accept that living a moral, united, accepting, and compassionate life is how we are designed and created to be, then we will stop fighting ourselves and become all God wants us to be. To do less will only lead to more suffering, more hatred and divisions, and eventually to our end if we continue as we are. A downward spiral will only last until it hits the bottom. Which way are you going?

 

All my past messages, in some way, address how we are living and how we should be living. That is the purpose of the ministry. We aren't called to support your hopes, dreams, wants, desires, or placate your politics or social status. All these things will be taken care of when we accept our responsibility to live as we were designed and created to live. As one species among many, all related and dependent on one another in some way, all part of a creation that, if united as it should be, would make all our dreams come true in one place. If we lived as we should, we would not need heaven, eternity, or paradise to look forward to; we would be living it in the here and now. It's a way of life, not something you think or believe, and no, most of us don't have it, so ask yourself, "Why?

 

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

WHAT GOD HAS FOR YOU

January 18, 2025

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Matthew 4:4, But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

 

In this allegory about Jesus being tempted, we are too often caught up in the myth and awe of the story to do what Jesus and his followers would have done. They would have seen such a story for what it was, an example for all our lives as we face the temptations of evil and sin that surround us and fill our lives. Just as Jesus looked to God and his faith to guide his life, and, in the story, rebuked those temptations, we are to do the same. If Jesus can do it, so can we, if we don't see him as a supernatural "god-man" but instead as he was, just like any human being. He was an example for all to follow. Wasn't he?

 

In our story, we see Jesus tempted not just once but three times, and each time he stands on the teachings of righteousness that are the foundation of his message and should be ours as well. He faces the reality of what life is, or, if you prefer, how the story goes, as the devil offers it, and he sees it for what it is. He rejects it and replaces it with proper teachings, refocusing his direction to walk in "God's Way" rather than the temptations of the world. Do you?

 

Jesus is focused on living a life pleasing and acceptable to God, and in doing so, he gains the strength and wisdom to know when to say, "Get thee behind me, Satan," or, more correctly, "that is not the Godly way I choose." He rejected material goods and wealth to walk with God. He turned the world he lived in, marked by greed, selfishness, and the lust for wealth and power, around and said, "There is something more precious than gold, more needed than things; the choice is yours." Have you made it?

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When I look at the world we live in, I envision us all wandering in a wilderness. Lost in our mad rush to the top of the ladder, the best neighborhoods, the next promotion, and the ever-lustful desire to get more and more, we don't stop long enough to look around and see the reality of how truly pitiful our lives are. We let go of our humanity, morals, ethics, and God-given compassion for others to feed our egos, satisfy our “wants,” and walk away from Godliness. And we learn nothing from the stories of old or the lessons Jesus and others taught because we choose not to. What choice will you make?

 

Like Jesus in the wilderness, each of us is wandering, lost, tempted on every hand, and faced with decisions. As you face yours, what will you do? Will you feed your greed, selfishness, and lusts? Or will you remember a story from long ago about a man offered the world and its rule, who said, “I will choose God’s Way instead?” He set himself aside, took God’s hand, and walked forward as an example for you to follow. That is a choice we each face: God’s way or your way. What will your choice be?

 

Matthew 6:33, But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 

This is what Jesus did. Like others, he chose to live in a righteous way, in God's Way, rather than the way of the world. We spend our lives thinking that if we do this or that, we will have more, when all along, the first and most important possession a human can have is found within their heart. It's there from our birth, waiting for us to let it show us the way and awaken us into "God's Kingdom," into a life filled with unspeakable love and glory beyond our wildest dreams. If you want what God has for you, put that first and see what He has to offer. That's your choice to make. What will it be?

 

Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.”

 

Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

“THE RICH”

 

January 11, 2026

 

Hebrews 13:5, Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

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As it was in the days of Jesus, so it is today: our lives are focused on our wealth. The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, and those in the middle are losing all around. Our financial portfolio will not bring us closer to God, and we must face that reality. You cannot buy your way into a right relationship with God, nor will it secure God’s salvation for you, not even if your church tells you otherwise. It isn’t a sin to have financial means, but how that wealth affects your witness of God’s love will always be a problem. If our God isn’t the "One True God" but is money instead, that will always lead to sin.

 

In the days of Jesus, wealthy Jews had sold out their nation, including family members, to the Romans. Jesus saw this as a problem and spoke against it. More than once, Jesus told his followers that a wealthy person has a problem “entering the Kingdom of God.” This means that wealthy people often struggle to live a Godly life. As it was then, so it remains today: the wealthy want more and more but refuse to contribute their fair share to the well-being of others. They refuse to recognize that they have the means, God’s blessings, that could make life better for others, yet they don’t care. Do you?

 

In first-century Palestine, the wealthy purchased a comfortable lifestyle, while those less fortunate were often cast aside, and too many paid with their lives. At that time, as it is today, there was more than enough wealth to provide for everyone, but the heart to do so was clouded by the lust for more of whatever makes the rich happy. They gladly paid the Romans their share because they had plenty left over for themselves. But the wealthy today don’t even want to do that; they want it all and buy political favors to assure it. They would rather pay a corrupt government and its politicians than use that money to help the less fortunate, out of their own fear and insecurity. Do you know anyone like this?

 

As it was in the time of Jesus, so it is today. We have blindly and selfishly chosen to follow the rich and powerful. Even as they move further away from the love of God and live lives filled with arrogant judgments, greed, selfishness, chaos, divisions, and hate, we who claim to be Christians seek to imitate their every move rather than those of Jesus. We buy the lies, as Israel did, and follow leaders who are ungodly and filled with sins and carnal lusts, seeking only dominion over others and to satisfy their greed for more wealth and power, and whatever they desire. It is truly the blind leading the blind. Whom are you following?

 

1 Timothy 6:9-10, 9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

 

The problem isn’t having wealth, it’s in your attitude toward that wealth and what you let it do to your relationship with God and your witness to the world. In this text, Paul presses Timothy and us to consider that even the desire to get rich is a sin to be avoided. We should instead cultivate godliness and contentment. But in today’s world, the lust for wealth dominates even the most moving sermon; it destroys one's faith in God and replaces it with faith in power and money; it takes you out of the hands of God and chokes you with the selfishness, greed, and wantonness that is never satisfied and never ends. Is this where you are? Have you stopped your mad dash through life long enough to ask yourself these questions? If not, will you do it now?

 

Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.”

 

Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)

 

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

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IS THIS YOUR KIND OF FAITH?

 

January 4.2026

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James 2:14, What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Surely that faith cannot save, can it?

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We’re often told to “go into the world and make all believers.” But is that truly the essence of God’s message to humanity? More often, this instruction seems to come from those in authority—encouraging loyalty and the flow of tithes and offerings—rather than from the heart of the divine. From the very beginning, God’s message has been simpler and far more personal: “Live in a manner that is acceptable and pleasing to Me in all you say and do, and be a citizen of My Kingdom.” How many people do you know who truly live this way? And perhaps more importantly, what keeps you from doing so yourself?

 

Too often, we fail to live in a Godly manner because our religious leaders and institutions have not shown us how. Their inability stems from their own shortcomings—they struggle to live out the principles they preach. Around the world, every religion faces the ongoing question: “Which path should we take?” For many, the path chosen is the one that brings material gain and earthly rewards. If we are honest, this is how grand “monuments” and impressive structures are built in the name of God, while the true needs of God’s children go unmet. The real message of too many religious leaders today is not about how to live a life pleasing to God, but about supporting the institution and its teachings—even when those teachings miss the mark.

 

As we begin this new year, let’s use it as a genuine opportunity for deep self-reflection. More than just marking another birthday, let’s look inward—into the depths of our hearts and souls. Consider: Did God give you this life so you would be tied only to the stories and experiences of ancient people whose world is so different from yours? Does that make sense? Is that truly the God you believe in? The ancient teachings exist to remind us that God was alive and active in their day, just as God is present and real today. These teachings are a foundation—a starting point upon which we are called to build our own living faith and relationship with God, relevant to our own time and place.

 

But what about the Bible, the Tanakh, the Torah, the Qur'an, and other sacred scriptures? Aren’t they God’s Word that we are meant to obey? Not in the sense they are often presented today. These writings are not direct instructions from God to us, but rather reflections of what ancient authors understood to be God’s message for their own people and circumstances. The world they inhabited is quite different from ours. Still, the essential wisdom about how to live a Godly life—a life that pleases God and sets an example for others—remains timeless. Even before these teachings were ever written, the heart of righteous living was already present. God’s Word isn’t confined to ancient stories and poems; it lives in the deeper truths and in how we bring those teachings to life in our own actions today.

 

We all journey through life along a common path; our true differences are not found in our societies, cultures, traditions, or beliefs, but in the choices we make as we walk this road. At the heart of it, there are two ways to live: by following our own desires—"your way"—or by embracing the higher calling, "God’s Way." I strive to follow the “Way” that Jesus taught, and I have discovered that many others, across different backgrounds and faiths, teach similar truths. Studying these perspectives has shown me that the core message remains the same. When we align ourselves with this path, we enter into a right relationship with God, the creator and sustainer of all existence. This is not just a spiritual ideal—it is, in the truest sense, the “Ultimate Reality.”

 

The UCCA and I have much to accomplish in the year ahead, and with your support and prayers, I am confident in our shared success. As we move forward, you’ll notice many changes, but the heart of our message will always remain. We need to become more visible, foster strong local communities, and expand our outreach—but we cannot do this alone. Building a true church is not something we create for you; it is a calling for each of us to answer together. Our purpose is to help you flourish in faith. If you believe in a living faith, don’t keep it hidden—join with us, and together we can share this message with the world and lead others toward a better, God-centered way of life.

As we come together with a shared purpose, let us awaken and revive the deep truths within our hearts—the message God intended for each of us since before time began. This message cannot be found in any book, ancient or modern, nor in the doctrines of religious institutions. It is discovered within our souls, in that “Still Small Voice of God,” gently guiding us as He opens our hearts and minds to the profound truths of His unconditional and everlasting love.

 

If you are searching for a place to nourish your spirit and a home for your weary or wandering soul, you have found it. God has opened this door, and we welcome all who come in peace. Here, you’ll find listening ears for your struggles, words of comfort for your heart, and open arms when you need them most. This is what “church” truly means: gathering in the presence of God’s children, walking together in the Light of His Love. Will you join us, take your place at our table, share in our community, and discover that you are home and loved—just as you are, just as God created you? This is our church, our community, our fellowship, our gathering. Wherever we come together in love, we bring it with us.

 

We warmly encourage you to reach out—we are here with open hearts, ready to connect. If you’re searching for a “faith for today,” a “faith whose time has come,” and desire to be a part of it, you have found it. The next step is yours: how will you embrace it? My hope is that you will make this faith your own, join us on this journey, and help support our mission. Whatever differences may exist among us, they are far outweighed by our shared vision, our love of God, and our dedication to unconditional love for one another. Is this the kind of faith you desire?

 

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

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2026 NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE

 

January 1, 2026

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Proverbs 14:34, Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

 

Today marks the beginning of 2026. As we enter this year, it would be to our advantage to take some time to examine and reflect on where we are in our lives. I’m not talking about your successes, relationships, or failures. I’m referring to your standing in the Eyes of God, the most essential aspect of our lives, even though in today’s world you wouldn’t think so. As I examine this place and time, I see growing multitudes of individuals who have lost their way. Once again, they are running toward the lusts of their hearts, with little to no concern for anyone else or the finality of where their life on this earth will end. They are as others have been throughout history, lost in their sins because they have rejected righteousness and have let go of God’s hand to fill their own desires.

 

You live in sin when you live in any manner outside the reflection of godliness. You live in sin when unrighteousness is your way, because you will not accept what you must do to live as God designed and created you. To be righteous, a person must live in a “right relationship with God.” A life that will be acceptable and pleasing to God and an example of “God with you” for the world to see and desire to follow.

 

Is that you? If you answered “yes,” then does the world and God see that in you, hear that from you, and is it evident in all you say and do? Does your righteousness include accepting others as God created them, with all their differences? Does your righteousness include a genuinely compassionate understanding of all others, to the point that you are driven to help them? Is your righteousness genuine and Godly as it should be, or is it founded in dogmatic theologies that are outdated and unfounded, supported only because the “church and its interpretation of an ancient book” says so? Is your righteousness centered on the teaching and realities taught by Jesus, or on your reliance on what your church tells you that “he did for you?” All Jesus ever did was teach humanity the truths of living in righteous Godliness and show us that it could be done if you desired it above all else, including the dogma of your time. His stories, as we are told, reflect the past; his message is timeless and only relevant when applied to the place and time where God has placed us.

 

Do you live a life of righteousness grounded in the realities of the life God has given you, in the place and time where God has placed you? Or are you lost in ancient myths, miracles, and supernatural, pagan-founded stories that modern knowledge and understanding refute? There is no right relationship with God except in the here and now; what ancient people understood and did has nothing to do with what God has for you today, except to teach the lessons they learned from their mistakes, failures, and a few successes. Are you living in righteousness, or are you living for yourself and your lust for wealth and power?

 

As we begin our journey through this new year, each of us should pause to examine ourselves. Are you living in righteousness or in sin? There is no middle ground; you are one or the other. You can’t be almost or halfway Godly; there is no such thing. You are either living, reflecting the love of God in all you say and do, or living in sin, separated from God’s love by your own selfish wants and desires.

 

There is little to no true Godly living among most people in our country today. I see few, if any, people living the truth of God and a righteous life. We must correct our lives to exalt our nation, awaken and revive it for all God would have us be, rather than for all we seek for ourselves. When we do, perhaps God will forgive our sins and restore us to unity and peace, for ourselves and for those who follow. It’s a choice we must make. What will it be for you? Will you turn from your wicked ways and serve the LORD, or not? As for me, I will commit myself into His hands and trust in His love and direction. I will do what I have been called to do and send messages to all who will listen. Perhaps that will be you.

 

The UCCA plans many changes for the coming year. We hope you will join us in supporting our ministry and humble efforts. Pass on the message and tell the world. They are waiting, hungering, and thirsting for righteousness. Tell them you found the way and show it to them. That’s what the Apostles and first-century followers of Jesus did; shouldn’t you do the same? The world is ready and in dire need of a “faith for today,” and I believe the message God has placed on my heart is a “message whose time has come.” Silver and gold I have none, but what God has given me, I gladly give to you. Take it and share it with your world as well. And may we all come together as one, and may peace, unity, and God’s blessings be ours once again. That decision is yours. What will you choose?

 

A BLESSED AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

 

Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.”

 

Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

Sr. Pastor and President, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

 

“WHY ISN’T THERE PEACE ON EARTH?”

 

December 28, 2025

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Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

 

The title of today’s message is a question that many often ask. It is a question addressed by almost every faith and by scholars across academia. If our leaders cared, they would be voicing this concern. There is a universal and straightforward reason. Perhaps it’s because “we would rather have what we want instead of what God wants for us.”

 

We see this in every walk of life. In our political leaders, in the rich and powerful, in the power of the corporations and institutions that influence our economies and way of life, we see it in the people we work with, go to school with, worship with, and even in those closest to us. Our lives, from those far away to our families, are filled with the selfishness, greed, wantonness, and “lusts of the flesh” that we follow instead of “what God wants for us.” We don’t listen to God, see His direction, or live as examples of His Love, because we are too busy chasing windmills and feeding our admiration and affection for the image in our mirror. There is no peace because we have let go of God’s hand that was leading us to it.

 

Psalm 34:14, Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

 

Peace among the family, the clan, tribe, village, country, and all the earth has been the hope and purpose of religion from the beginning. We are further from that hope today than ever before. Unity and peace are the door that opens us to endless possibilities that will never be ours until we get those two right and make them the foundation of our lives. Where there is division of God’s children, there is no peace. Where there is blame, discourse, and hate among God’s children, there is no peace. We may all be different individuals, races, creeds, religions, and other aspects that make us who we are. But at the base of it all, we are all of “one species of beings,” and the “Image of God” is within us all and gives us life and being. All of our differences combined will not separate us from that reality. Other species of beings, especially our primate cousins, have all embraced how God created them. And in doing so, they have survived to this day. They also argue, scream, and yell at each other in anger; some even fight and harm one another, but ultimately they come together as one. We, humans, are still misguided on this issue, and don’t seem to mind as long as we get what we want.

 

Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."

 

There can be no peace where there is no genuine compassion. What is genuine compassion? It is a state of mind, a conscious and subconscious effect on the person that draws them into the life of others. Not just the outward, worldly being of others, but into a connection with them that goes beyond the physical. You are genuinely compassionate when you look at all others, not just a select few, and see them in such a way that their hurt, pain, and suffering become yours, as does their joy and happiness. You are genuinely compassionate when there are no judgments in your mind toward others, when you feel for those who are separated, segregated, rejected, and left alone. You see the needs in others' lives and are compelled to help at all costs. Genuine compassion must be an integral part, perhaps a foundation, of who you are and manifest in all you say and do. You do no harm, violence, aggression, or hurt to anyone in any way, for that will only do the same to you. And you take that compassion and use it to build the peace that will save the world from self-destruction.

 

Our world lacks genuine compassion. We replace it with quips, platitudes, and mental and physical pleasures we mistake for compassion. When the tears and pain of a total stranger you see from a distance truly touches your heart until you cry too, then you are close to genuine compassion. It isn’t “feeling sorry for someone,” unless your sorrow drives you to do something to help or comfort them. Genuine compassion is missing today in every aspect of society, even among close friends, family members, and anyone who is not just like us. We have walked away from God’s will for our genuine compassion, pushed it aside, and replaced it with the “lusts of our wants.” And we wonder, where is the peace in this world?

 

John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."

 

Now, to answer our question. “Why isn’t there peace on Earth?” It’s because we reject the unity that God created within us, because we lack “genuine compassion,” and because we don’t want to listen to God. Perhaps it’s because we are blinded by the lusts of our lives that feed us with the desire for more and more, even when we already have enough. Indeed, we struggle and live in divisions and rejections because “we would rather have what we want instead of what God wants for us.” Is that you? The first step to solving this issue is accepting your responsibility for it, turning from it (repentance), and walking forward with God (salvation). What better way to end a tough year than to accept your responsibilities, close that part of your life, and open it to a new, better, and blessed way? What will you choose?

Romans 15:33, “May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.”

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Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)

 

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv., UCCA

Sr. Pastor and President, Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA)

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Christmas Message 2025

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December 25, 2025

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Luke 2:40, The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

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Christmas is not merely the celebration of Jesus' birth. It symbolizes an ideal, a hope, a promise, and a way of life that has endured for centuries—not because of a supernatural miracle, but because of the “Will of God” that communicated with Jesus and inspired him to speak to you. Christmas centers on the baby who grew into a man fulfilling God's will and dedicating himself to delivering the message God entrusted to him for the world.

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We do not need to celebrate the birth of a “king,” a “savior,” or a “propitiation for our sins;” we celebrate the one who brought “God’s message” to humankind and showed us that we can live in godliness if we choose to.

Christmas marks the end of one season and the beginning of another. We remember the lessons we have learned and look forward to the new ones to come. We celebrate in various ways, overlooking the “reason for the season.” Or we confuse it with myths and stories of deeds beyond human explanation, becoming distracted from the message and lost in the myths, miracles, and fantasies of our minds. And when we do, we can’t see the reality of what we are to learn. We look past the obvious and fail to grasp God’s purpose, as we do with most of life.

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God spoke at Jesus's birth, walked with him throughout his life, and spoke to us through the message He gave Jesus to tell us, as seen in Jesus's life. We should remember more than just his birthday; in fact, that is the least part of his life we are to know, especially when it distracts us from his truths.

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The Jews did not celebrate the birth of a child. Childbirth was a “miracle” if both the mother and the baby survived; a large percentage (approximately 50%) did not. Aside from the accounts in Matthew and Luke concerning Jesus (which are historically inaccurate in every respect), there are only two references in both Testaments to a “birthday,” and neither carries a positive meaning. In that place and time, only a “king” or “emperor” would be remembered with a birthday. But in the pagan world of the Roman Empire, birthdays were remembered and celebrated, so where did Christmas, as we know it, come from, Israel or “the Empire?”

So, what about Christmas? What should we do, and why? We, who consider ourselves “Christians,” should look upon the birth of Jesus as it was. The beginning of a life that still speaks to the world after all these centuries, not because of someone “special,” but because a man was born who listened to God, followed His directions, and passed on a timeless message, doing so as an example for you to follow.

 

Though distorted, misunderstood, misused, and ignored by most, the “truths” he spoke can still be found. The message God gave him for you remains relevant in our lives two thousand years later, as it has been from the beginning and will be until humanity is no more. Though many are looking in all the wrong places, misled by those with ulterior motives, and confused by the words we hear from those who don’t know the truth, it is still there for those who “seek” to “find it,” and those numbers are growing rapidly. We will never be truly “free” from the grip of this world until we let go of it and take the “Hand of God,” just as Jesus did. From his birth to the cross, Jesus walked with God to show you where to go, what to do, and the way to the “Path of Righteousness.” Your Christmas question is, “Are you following Jesus?”

It’s Christmas, a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The best way to do that is to accept what this day truly means. It is more than a remembrance of a birth. It is a call from God to all who will hear the message Jesus taught, follow his example, and walk the “Way” he walked from the manger to the cross and into the arms of God. What is the “Way of your life?”

 

Christmas is about remembering a birth, not of Jesus, however you accept him, but of the beginning of another step in the journey of humankind toward living in the "Will of God." A reminder that though we follow his teachings and example, he wasn't the first or the last, even though, to many, he is the most important, and in that is their blessing. It doesn't matter how we relate to Jesus and the stories about him; what matters, and is most important to him, is that you understand and accept his message and apply it to your life so that others will do the same. We celebrate his birth with a special day not just to remember him, but to renew the message he brought to all humankind. When you do this, you are truly having a merry Christmas. I hope that's you.

It isn't about a birthday celebration; it's about the message you are to learn and apply to your life, just like Jesus. That's the true meaning of Christmas.

 

Merry Christmas, may you find its true meaning and apply it to your life.

 

Peace and Blessings to you all and your loved ones,

“Studies show that churches are created when you share your faith with others. Please “share” our messages, and make them your invitation for others to join with you. They may never know if you don’t invite them.”

 

Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv., UCCA

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MARY'S WAIT WITH GOD

December 21, 2025

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Matthew 1:23, 23 “Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”

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This is the last Sunday and week before Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Of all the lines of scripture describing this event, I look at this one as revealing a truth that is too often overlooked. Like others with a traditional Christian background, I have heard sermons and preached a few that take these accounts and walk us through the story. But I now believe God has brought us to a place and time when humanity needs to look deeper at this event and answer the question, "What does this mean?"

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Childbirth was one of the most traumatic, dangerous, and frightening experiences a young woman could face. The mortality rate for both mother and child was approximately 50% in that place and time. Today in America, it is 18/100,000. At that time, there were no doctors, emergency rooms, hospitals, or trained nurses to assist; no antibiotics for infections; no anesthetics for pain; and no sterile room for labor or delivery. The mother was separated from the father and all males. She was attended to by female family members, friends, and neighbors, hoping some were experienced midwives. The process was long and painful, either taking place on a bed low to the floor or with the help of a "birthing stool." None of this would ease the pain or lessen the danger. Water, balms, salves, oils, massage, and prayers were the only treatments available. Every young woman facing this event knew and feared that she was facing imminent suffering and pain, and that the chances of death were tremendous. How do you think Mary felt?

 

I don't know whether shepherds were reminded of God's presence, but I have to believe that Mary already knew. Not about God within the baby she carried, and she knew she didn't have to wait until the birth for God's presence with her. God was with her and gave her strength and comfort at all times. She didn't think about the danger when she focused on God's presence with her. Her faith in God's love let her look forward to the labor and agony of bringing her child into the world. Her faith in God told her, "God was with her," just as God is always with us all. And she knew that if she left this world, she would be with God then, too. She didn't need shepherds to tell her something she already knew. The question is, "Do you?"

 

God is with each of us at every moment of our lives, even when we reject Him. God is with us in all we say and do, even when much of it is ungodly or in rejection of God's will for our lives. God is with us because, without God, we would not be; we would not have been created; we would not exist; and our life could not be sustained. God gives us life from birth, sustaining it every split second until He calls us back into His presence. Knowing that "God is with you," are you happy with what He sees?

 

When we accept that "God is with us," we accept that His love is ours. It is an exchange we make between God our Father and ourselves. We are then to allow that love to become our love and project it to all others as God does to us. This is the "Living Evidence" of "God with us," for all the world to see, as a reminder that God is with them too. God's love is projected from God to you to all who share your life. The presence of God envelopes all that is, and indwells in all that lives. Is this the God that you know?

 

When we honestly look at the teachings and example of Jesus, it is clear that God was with him, and that he says and demonstrates that God is with you, too. The difference is that Jesus embraced it, allowed God to rule and reign in his life, and lived to reflect that reality to the whole world, as an example for you to follow. Are you following? If so, you will be an example, too.

 

The shepherds knew "God was with them." Mary knew God was with her. Jesus knew God was with him. God's presence was evident in their lives. Is God visible in your life? Do you know God is with you? If so, how are you treating him?

This week, Mary will face her fears. Many of us will do the same. Mary put her trust and hopes in the reality of her faith, which assured her that God was with her. She saw God in the life she was living. She would teach her son to do the same, and he would take that message, magnify it, spread it, and live it in all he said and did. We are to do the same. The question is, "Are you?"

 

Christmas is more than a time to celebrate a birth. It is a time to renew, revive, and awaken your connection with God and to remind yourself and the world. God is with us. And ask the question, "Am I with God?"

 

Romans 8:31, What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

 

God is with us; thus, nothing that happens in our lives can separate us from that truth, except ourselves. When you turn from God's love, place your will above His, and live in ungodliness and sin, you tell yourself that you are alone, that you are your own god, and that your will replaces God's will. It is then, though God is still with you, that your heart is empty and you are truly alone. God is with us when we reach out, take His hand, and live our lives to please Him. Do you?

 

Light a candle.... God's light of the world is bright. You have no light without Him; you walk in darkness. God is with you when His light leads the way.

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“Studies show that churches are created when you share your faith with others. Please “share” our messages and make them your invitation for others to join with you. They may never know if you don’t invite them.”

 

Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

 

ARE YOU GOD'S CHILD

December 14, 2025

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Today is the third Sunday that many observe as “Advent,” the time of anticipation for Jesus's birth. Some will mark this day with a reading from Psalm 146, which is a “Praise for God’s Help.” However, as I read this Psalm, I was shown a message I want to share with you. I imagined myself sitting with Jesus while we read the Psalm, and this is how he explained it to me.

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We explore the birth of Jesus in various ways, across different cultures, and for many reasons. This Psalm predates Jesus's birth but conveys a message Jesus taught that is central to his coming. Today, that message helps us understand why we celebrate Jesus and what his life should teach us about ourselves. Jesus said, "I am God's child," and everyone knew they were too. Are you God's child?

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Psalm 146:7, Who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free.

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Indeed, we should “praise the LORD,” for all that makes up our life. We must recognize and accept that without the “life-force” within us, the “Spirit of God,” we would not exist. When we think of the birth of Jesus, we are also reminded of our own birth, not to recall the event itself, but to acknowledge it as a “Gift from God.” Then we should examine ourselves in light of Jesus's witness and teachings to see whether we, too, walk in his ways. Jesus was the teacher and the example. Are you learning from him and following his path?

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The Gospels and other accounts of Jesus' life show that he stood up for those oppressed by governments, rulers, overseers, and authorities. He fought for their rights and encouraged them to speak up. We read stories of him feeding the hungry and healing the sick. We often forget that a key part of the gatherings Jesus and his followers held was around a meal, and he didn’t turn anyone away. We should follow his example today. He looked at those imprisoned and oppressed by the authorities of his time and treated their struggles with kindness and understanding. This wasn’t only about those in prison; he saw, as I do today, how many are “imprisoned” by circumstances that control their lives—oppressive governments, employers, relationships, and within our families. He spoke of freedom and showed us the way to it, if not physically, then in the Spirit. Do you do the same?

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Psalm 146:8, The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.

 

Too often in our “Christianized world,” we read these words and think of Jesus. We should interpret the words as Jesus would. To Jesus and all the Jews, there is only one “LORD,” which is why it is correctly written in all capitals. Jesus may be seen as “Lord” of your faith, but only God is to be recognized as “LORD” of your life. Jesus, your “Lord” and “Teacher,” can guide you, but only God is the “LORD” of that path and the destination that path leads to. Jesus is said to have healed the blind, but I don’t need a supernatural miracle to open the blindness in my heart, mind, and spirit; all I need is to follow Jesus’ teachings and trust in the same “LORD” he did. We are all “bowed down” even if we fail to realize it. We are bowed to the sins of our lives, the corruption of the world we live in, and the choices we make. We bow to blindly follow teachings that defy logic, common sense, and the understanding God gave us at birth. We fail to live in a “right relationship” with our God. Instead, we close our eyes to the reality God presents to us and bow to the commands of those we give authority over us. And we refuse to seek the righteousness that God reveals.

 

Psalm 146:9, The LORD watches over the strangers; He upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked He brings to ruin.

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We live in a country and world that has turned away from godliness. Those who are less fortunate than we are; are just as much a “child of God” as you are. They may not be “just like you,” but in God's eyes, they are loved equally. You are not a special, separate individual or group; you are “one of many,” created to come together as one, to serve the purposes of our “One Creator and God,” and to be all we were designed and created to be. But we refuse to do so. Is that you?

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Our society has rejected those among us who do not conform to our expectations or support our political, social, and religious dictates. We live in a time when the oppression of others, which was gradually being eliminated, has now shifted toward absolutism. Instead of coming together to fulfill God’s plan for humankind, we seem to want to divide ourselves into castes, groups, cults, parties, congregations, and denominations. We are our worst enemies; we don’t need a Satan because evil is the choice we make for ourselves.

The Psalmist warns us that our wicked ways lead to our downfall. This has been God’s warning to humanity from the start. We refuse to accept the reality God has shown us. We either live our lives in the "Way of God" or we endure our lives in the "way of the wicked." What will your choice be?

 

The wicked are those who refuse to live in godliness, those who chase after the lusts of their hearts and seek self-gratification and exaltation above all else. The wicked are those who choose to see others only through the darkness of themselves, judging them, rejecting them as God has made them, and doing all they can to destroy the lives of others to please themselves. The wicked are those who see others as unworthy and less than what they themselves deem proper, even though they misunderstand and have no proof to support their charges other than how they choose to feel. They are wicked because in all these things they have put themselves above the Will of God; they have put themselves where only God should be, for “judgment” of another's life is in the hands of God alone. Does this sound like you?

 

The way of God is living in a right relationship with Him. That means acting in a way that reflects God's love toward all humankind and all creation, just as God does and as Jesus demonstrated. We walk in God's path when we seek the message Jesus and others shared with us, the guidance they provide, and the light they shine so we can follow. Life is a journey; the way we live is a testimony to God and the world of what is in our hearts and the health of our souls. Nothing or no one can live your life for you; it is yours and yours alone. No institution, government, society, or culture can cause you to stray from God’s Path—you must choose it yourself. They may tempt you, but the decision is yours. Who you truly are inside will be reflected in the witness you present before God and the world. What does God see in you? What witness are you projecting that the world should want to follow? We forget that children watch and follow in our footsteps. Where are you leading them?

 

Each of us anticipates Christmas in our own way. We may follow others in certain traditions and beliefs, but the true meaning of Christmas is found within ourselves. It is what we know in our hearts, how we feel about the world we live in, and those who share this world with us. During this time of year, we look forward to Christmas and what it means to us personally—inside our hearts and minds—and how it shows in our lives.

 

The most important lesson we should learn from our Scripture today is that there is “One True God,” and the “LORD” is with each of us at all times. How we relate to our Creator should be the focus of our lives, as it is reflected in all we say and do. We will never be what God designed and created us to be until we accept all others as God created them to be and recognize that God’s desire for humankind is for us to come together, love one another, live in unity and peace, and let God be God, and you be His children. Are you God’s child?

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Unless noted, Bible Quotes are from "New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition" (NRSVUE)

Rev. Dr. Shannon Rogers, DDiv

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