The first principle of Kwanzaa is Umoja (oo-MOE-jah) Unity - To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Unity in Christ

The writer of the Letter to the Ephesians offers guidance on how to live, and speaks to the importance of being united in Christ so that the body of Christ grows strong.

As a prisoner of the Lord, I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own. Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace. All of you are part of the same body. There is only one Spirit of God, just as you were given one hope when you were chosen to be God's people. We have only one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. There is one God who is the Father of all people. Not only is God above all others, but he works by using all of us, and he lives in all of us.

Christ chose some of us to be apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors, and teachers, so that his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong. This will continue until we are united by our faith and by our understanding of the Son of God. Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.

Ephesians 4.1-6, 11-13

Pause and Reflect

According to the Scripture passage, God lives in all of us. How does being united by the one Spirit of God affect our relationships with others? Think of ways to improve how we work and live together in our communities.