Thanksgiving 2025
The American holiday of Thanksgiving has a complex and disturbing history that too few of us know (you can learn from Mark Charles about its hidden history here). Yet giving thanks is a good thing, as Diana Butler Bass explains (and Psalm 92 agrees!).
One of the joys and honors I experienced this year was team teaching a workshop with Franciscan Action Network's Michele Dunne. As part of our workshop, we linked up sections of the beautiful and profound Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address to quotes from St. Francis of Assisi. You may find them helpful for a reflection around your table today. (A is the Haudenosaunee Address and B is from St. Francis.)
One of the reasons I love these resources is that they link thanksgiving for creation and thanksgiving to creation; they thank the Creator not to the exclusion of creation but in connection with creation. As St. Francis says, they praise God through creation ... in a way that includes creation.
A: Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things.
So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.
Now our minds are one.
B: Be conscious, o human, of the wondrous state
in which the Lord God has placed you,
for you were created in God’s image and likeness
according to the Spirit.
And yet all the creatures under heaven, each according to its nature,
serve, know, and obey their Creator better than you.
A: We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun.
Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west,
bringing the light of a new day.
He is the sources of all the fires of life.
B: Praised be you, my Lord, through all your creatures
especially Sir Brother Sun
who is the day through whom you bring us light.
And he is lovely, shining with great splendor,
for he heralds you, Most High.
A: We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the nighttime sky.
She … governs the movement of the ocean tides.
By her changing face we measure time…
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry.
We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness
and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things.
When we travel at night, they guide us.
B: Praised by you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars.
In heaven you formed them,
full of light, precious and fair.
A: We are thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds.
We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us
and purify the air we breathe.
They help us to bring the change of seasons.
From the four directions they come, bringing us messages
and giving us strength.
B: And praised be you, my Lord, through Brother Wind
through air and cloud
through calm and every weather
by which you sustain your creatures.
A: We give thanks to all the waters of the world
for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength.
Water is life.
We know its power in many forms—
waterfalls and rain, mists and streams,
rivers and oceans.
B: Praised be you, my Lord,
through Sister Water,
so very useful and humble,
precious and chaste.
A: We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth,
for she gives us all they we need for life.
She supports our feet as we walk about upon her.
It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time.
B: Praised be you, my Lord
through our Sister, Mother Earth,
who sustains us and directs us,
bringing forth all kinds of fruits
and colored flowers and herbs.
A: Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit,
and send greetings and thanks
for all the gifts of Creation.
Everything we need to live
a good life is here
on this Mother Earth.
For all the love that is still around us,
we gather our minds together
as one and send our choicest words
of greetings
and thanks to the Creator.
B: Most High, all powerful, good Lord,
yours is the praise, the glory and
the honor and every blessing.
O praise and bless my Lord,
give God thanks and serve
with great humility.
0 Comments6 Minutes
Q & R: Can you explain the beatitudes?
A friend sent me this question:
Just read today's CAC Daily Meditation and appreciated your thoughts about gratitude. Noting the reference to the Beatitudes, I'm wondering about your suggestions for your books, or other writing, that might help me understand them? The Daily Mediation pulls from your book "Naked Spirituality."I struggle with seeing the 'blessed' part. Especially on the hard days - when the Feds block big things I work on (and many other insanities they perpetrate), or when good people I love struggle with big things.
Thanks for your question! I've written about the beatitudes in several of my books, along with Naked Spirituality, especially The Secret Message of Jesus and We Make the Road by Walking.
Here, I think, is the key to the beatitudes.
The empire works hard to make the rich happy, but we value the poor and work on their behalf.The empire builds monuments to those who kill and dominate, but we honor those who mourn those who have been killed.The empire praises the aggressive and arrogant, but we hold the meek and gentle in highest honor.The empire rewards those who hunger and thirst for wealth and power for themselves, but we raise a toast to honor those who hunger and thirst for justice for all.The empire makes heroes of the tough and merciless, but we speak up to celebrate the gracious and merciful.The empire admires those who are clever and deceitful to get what they want, but we admire those who are authentic, sincere, and genuine.The empire holds in highest regard those who make war, but we revere those who make peace.The empire tips their hats to those who persecute their opponents, but we show highest respect those who are persecuted for their justice-seeking work.
0 Comments3 Minutes
Why Should You Come to Southern Lights?
For the last several years, I have co-led and co-organized (with colleagues and friends Diana Butler Bass and Jim Chafee) a joyful gathering of progressive Christians from across the South (and beyond) called Southern Lights. Here are 4 reasons you should consider coming - January 23-25, 2026:
First, the big idea: The American South is, in many ways, the epicenter of the White Christian Nationalism that is trying to dominate the nation and distort the faith. Many people are unaware of how many committed, sincere, and joyful Christians in the South stand strong for a different, deeper, wiser, and more compassionate understanding of Christian faith. We are rooted in the deep historic tradition of Christian contemplatives and activists from Jesus, Mary, Paul, John, and James to the desert sages, from St. Patrick and St. Columba to St. Francis and Julian of Norwich and Meister Eckhart and Teresa of Avila ... from Howard Thurman and Dr. King and Mother Teresa and Pope Francis to amazing spiritual leaders today.
Southern Lights is one of the primary ways forward-leaning, compassion-based, contemplative and activist Christians across the South (and beyond) gather for mutual support, encouragement, learning, and inspiration.
Second, the theme. This year's theme could not be more relevant:
Wisdom From the Edge, When the Center Can Not Hold
For many of us raised in the cultural center—shaped by privilege, security, and the stability of institutions—it once seemed unthinkable that the moral and societal frameworks we trusted could fracture. But for those raised on the margins—where life was harder, systems less reliable, and injustice more visible—the cracks have long been evident.
And now, here we are. In a moment of deep uncertainty and upheaval, the invitation is clear: to listen. To step back from certainty, and tune in to voices that have too often been silenced or overlooked—voices from the edge.
This year at Southern Lights, we will gather with open hearts and open eyes, seeking wisdom from outside the cultural mainstream. We will hear from Black voices, Jewish voices, queer voices—each carrying hard-earned truths and sacred insights. In their stories, we’ll discover a throughline: many of our greatest prophets, reformers, and visionaries were themselves born on the margins.
Their wisdom is not just needed—it is essential. In listening, we may find not only a way forward, but a deeper understanding of our shared humanity and of the Spirit who speaks most clearly from the edge.
Join us. The light is rising from unexpected places.
Third, the speakers, musicians, and artists: Every year, Diana and I are joined by an amazing team, and this year is no exception:
... my dear friend Rabbi Or Rose, who brings deep Jewish wisdom to these troubled times.
... one of my favorite communicators and analysts of our current moment: professor, celebrated author, and activist Jemar Tisby.
... one of my favorite poets, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer.
... the amazing Dr. Jennifer Harvey - a seminary professor and theologian, writer, pastor, and insightful leader.
... Ken Medema, one of the most brilliant songwriters, astounding musicians, and inspired improvisational composers alive today ...
Frankly, any one of these people would be worth your time and energy to enjoy ... but all of them together make for a real feast for the mind and heart. You can learn more here: https://southernlightsconference.com/speakers
And fourth, the people. If you feel alone, isolated, and maybe even a little afraid ... intimidated by the forces of corruption, authoritarianism, conspiracy theories, and anger, and you need to be around some good-hearted and intelligent people ... the people you'll meet at Southern Lights will uplift you and encourage you. Not only that, but the staff and volunteers of Southern Lights do everything they can to maximize your experience ... which is enhanced by the beautiful and history-rich setting on the Georgia Coast, Epworth by the Sea.
You'll find everything you need to know at the website: https://southernlightsconference.com/
PS: If you can't come in person (or if we reach capacity before you register), you can attend online (synchronously or asynchronously). More information here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southern-lights-conference-2026-registration-1138009349599?aff=oddtdtcreator
PPS: Because I'm taking 2026 off from travel, this is the only major public event I'll be participating in. Just fyi.
0 Comments5 Minutes
A Beautiful Book in an Ugly Time
To survive, we all must live in contrasts ... creative, dynamic tensions:
The harder we work or the higher the stress, the more we need rest.
The more we give, the more we need to find sources of replenishment.
The more privileged and comfortable we are, the more we need to turn to those who are struggling and in need.
The uglier the politics and economics in the human sphere, the more we need the beauty of the biosphere ... and beauty from our best writers, poets, and artists of all kinds.
So in these ugly and decadent times, I highly recommend this beautiful, inspiring, uplifting new book by my dear friend and colleague, Diana Butler Bass: A Beautiful Year.
Here's how Diana describes it:
A Beautiful Year tells the story of a God opposed to empires, who stands with outsiders, and who is found with and through creation. It is the mirror-opposite spiritual and theological story to the one espoused by Christian nationalism. But my way of telling it isn’t dogmatic or doctrinal. Instead, the stories emanate from the ordinary; they are both human and humane. Yet, they are mystical and transcendent as well. And the overarching narrative is unexpected and beautiful.
I know you will be nourished by this book, and I imagine you'll want to give some copies to some friends as well. You can get ordering information here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250409881/abeautifulyear
I encourage you to buy it from a local bookshop, which you can do conveniently here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-beautiful-year-52-meditations-on-faith-wisdom-and-perseverance-diana-butler-bass
PS: As I wrote in my enthusiastic endorsement for the book, if you are new to Diana's work, this book is the ideal place to start.
0 Comments2 Minutes
Christmas Gift Ideas I Can Help With
For any adult who enjoys a good story, my new novel (science fiction) called The Last Voyage: https://brianmclaren.net/the-last-voyage-my-new-sci-fi-novel/
For your kids, grandkids, nephews, or nieces between 5 and 10 ... A children's book, co-authored with Gareth Higgins, called Cory and the Seventh Story: https://bit.ly/theseventhstory
For anyone struggling with faith questions:
For Nature Lovers:
The Galapagos Islands: A Spiritual Journey
For people interested in spirituality or spiritual growth:
For anyone deeply concerned about the state of the world:
Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World falling Apart
For clergy or other church leaders:
If it's the last minute and you need an e-book ...
Check out Why Don't The Get It? (on bias), Authoritarianism: Coming to a Society Near You, or The Seventh Story: Us, Them, and the End of Violence, all available here: https://brianmclaren.net/store/
0 Comments1 Minutes