There was once a wise and kindly woman who sat on the porch of her home talking with her strong and knowledgeable husband. Together, they observed the interactions between their many and diverse children.
Together they wondered, what shall we do that these, our children, will remain true to one another as they grow up and go in their many and diverse ways? Certainly one shall live here and another there, and the memory of the joy of being together will become to them as mere echoes of sounding brass. And our children will forget the strength of unity we now enjoy.
As twilight fell, the strong and knowledgeable husband saw the crescent of the new moon on the horizon, a light breaking forth through the darkness. He suggested that if, every few weeks, as the first glimpse of light appears on the face of the moon, the whole family could gather together and welcome the new moon with a night of food and celebration and share stories of encouragement. And, even when occasion did not allow for some of their many and diverse children to gather, at least they would be able to see the moon and remember that their family hopes to see them soon.
To this the wise and kindly woman replied, but what if the little sliver of light is not noticeable enough to remind them that they should gather? Perhaps we could have another gathering on the night of the full moon, a night when the light of the moon is so prominent in the sky that none of our many and diverse children could ignore the call to return and join in our celebration.
After this, the strong and knowledgeable husband asked, what shall we do for those who move away to many and diverse places, who might never never gather because there would never be a significant enough occasion to justify the long journey. Certainly gathering every few weeks is too frequent to be significant.
To which, his wise and kindly wife replied, let us set aside a few weeks each year to be larger celebrations and invite all to return, and to gather and to remember. And if the burden of travel is too great, encourage them to gather in groups who live nearby.
They agreed that this was a good plan. So, even as their many and diverse children were young, they began to celebrate as the various lights in the heavens made their precision through the months and the seasons each year. Reminding their many and diverse children to look at the beauty of the heavens and the beauty of the earth and the beauty of all of creation as they celebrated their unity with each other and their interconnectedness with all these things.
This they did, trusting that every time their children saw the sun and the moon and the stars, and the planets moving through the heavens, they would be reminded of their parents, their family, and the celebrations which were organized to bring them together in joy and unity. And that the beauty of all creation would beckon them to visit the house of their wise and knowledgeable, strong and kindly parents, so they could be as one with their many and diverse children, and their children’s children.
Many years went by. And, slowly, fewer and fewer of their many and diverse children continued to join in for the celebrations. And the wise and kindly woman would call upon them each individually inviting them to return. And some returned, remembering the joy of gathering in unity to celebrate. Others returned out of obligation to their mother, but who’s hearts were elsewhere and their participation was forced and hollow, and they brought with them a spirit of agitation and continually found reasons to be excused from the burden of attending the celebrations. Still others did not even come, and avoided talking with either their wise and kindly mother or their strong and knowledgeable father. Finding their “joy” in perusing their own path, in isolation.
Eventually, on one occasion, after observing the bickering and contention at his table, the strong and knowledgeable man stood up and declared:
“Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth; they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.”
For, even though he desired his family to gather, their hearts were not filled with rejoicing. The celebrations were as a burden to his children, and so they were as a burden to him.
After many years went by, and the wise and knowledgeable, strong and kindly parents, looking upon the lights of the night sky longed for the days when their many and diverse children came home to celebrate together in unity and decided to sent out another invitation to their many and diverse children to return once again, and rejoice in their celebration of unity.
And so this announcement was written, and is sent out:
We, your wise and kindly mother, and your strong and knowledgeable father ask invite to remember the joy of gathering together in unity, celebrating the beauty of the sun and the beauty of the moon and the beauty of the stars and the beauty of the earth and the beauty of all creation.
We invite you to set aside the cares of the world. Set aside those things which only have temporary significance. Set aside the fleeting and transitory chains that weigh you down. Set them aside for a few days or a week, and pay attention to things which have enduring significance.
We invite you to come, share your stories, share your burdens, share your heartache, share your joy, share your unity. Come, and bring your many and diverse children, and your children’s children.
We ask you to bring food and drink, enough that we can all eat together. Bring song that we may all dance together. Bring love that we may all uplift each other. Bring enough that all may rejoice in the festivities with no undo burden.
We hope you will reach out to each other, travel together, assist one another to make it possible that all of our many and diverse children who wish to be here are able to come.
We invite you in a spirit of love and not of obligation. And we ask that you come in the spirit of rejoicing and not a spirit of compulsion or duty. We ask you to do this that we might be One, for we do not know how many more years remain, but certainly the time is short.
Hear our call, remember the holy days, and come home.
With Love,
– Your Mother and Father
