Christmas without a price tag

Christmas is an invitation for closed hearts to open, for darkness to merge with radiant light, for given gifts to last a lifetime and beyond, for the heart to become the superstar, for the child within to become the triumphant King.

Unity Spiritual Center of Westlake will celebrate this Christmas in a threefold way: preparing for Christ's sacred birth with four Sundays of Advent, celebrating the sacred birth on Christmas Eve with a 7 p.m. Candlelighting Service, and releasing the old while maintaining the spirit of the sacred birth with a Burning Bowl/White Stone Service on Sunday, Dec. 28.

How do we truly prepare for the Christ child to be the king of our hearts? The four Sundays of Advent, started on Sunday, Nov. 30, guide us to an awareness, and full and deep expression of faith, peace, love, and joy. The first Sunday of Advent focused on faith. The second Sunday, Dec. 7, focused on peace. Sunday, Dec. 14's focus is love – "The unconditional love of Christ lives in me." Sunday, Dec. 21, finds the focus on joy – "In God's presence, I experience a new life, filled with joy and everlasting peace."

The Christmas Eve Candlelighting Service will be moving, personal and meditative, as we are invited to understand and empathize more deeply with the lives of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Their story is our story, as we transform from the small self into the expanded self. The Twelve Lights of Bethlehem Candlelighting Service will illumine the sanctuary as your candle joins other candles and strengthens the light. The 12 lights link to the 12 powers of humankind as they unfold the Christmas story.

On Sunday, Dec. 28, the Burning Bowl and White Stone Ceremony, laden with symbolism, allows time for reflection – where you have been, where you are, where you wish to go. Joy and relief come with the feeling of freedom when releasing concerns, feelings, thoughts, and ideas that no longer serve you. This day is set aside, not to make a list of resolutions, but in a word or two, to describe the changes you wish to make.

Come join us for the peace that passes all understanding at Unity Spiritual Center, 23855 Detroit Road. Sunday services are at 9  and 11 a.m. All are welcome. No "blue-light specials" or price slashes found here, but gifts for the heart will be plentiful.