Laura Alary
Writing stories that make us bigger on the inside
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Breathe: A New Book for Pentecost 2021
May 31, 2020
Today is Pentecost. While this year our celebrations are mingled with lament, the promise and challenge of the gift of the Spirit is just as vital as ever. I thought I would share a few words from my forthcoming book Breathe: A Child’s Guide to Ascension, Pentecost, and The Growing Time (Paraclete Press, 2021):
On the day of Pentecost
the church is dressed in red—the color of fire.
We celebrate the gift of the Spirit with a cake and candles,
streamers and pinwheels.
The wind catches them and sets them spinning.
It breathes into the banners over our heads
and makes them dance.
I can’t see the wind, but I know when it is near.
It makes things move.
…I used to wonder how Jesus could go away,
and yet promise to be with us always.
Now I am starting to see.
The Spirit that was in Jesus is in us, too.
We are his body now,
his way of being in the world.
Whenever we choose kindness,
make peace,
live gently,
show patience,
feel joy,
give love,
Jesus is there.
Always.
Breathe is a companion to Look! A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas and Make Room: A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easter. Watch for it in Sprint 2021.
Laura Alary 