Cynicism may be understood as an attempt to protect oneself from the heartache of unfulfilled hopes. While it may be effective in the short term, cynicism ultimately leads nowhere. But how do we go about choosing in hope in what seems like a hopeless time?

One service at 10:00. The great Christian mystic Meister Eckhart famously said, “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” Of the various kinds of prayers, prayers of thanksgiving might be the most powerful. How do we practice giving thanks, even in challenging times?

This holiday season brings many challenges. Some are personal–losses of loved ones, losses of relationships, illnesses, changes in employment status, and so on. Others are more political or societal—loss of a sense of safety, increased isolation, divisions among neighbors and organizations, etc. How do we deal with these challenges while still finding something to celebrate?