Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas
lies in your heart.
-St. Nicholas-
Ever since I can remember, the Christmas season has been one of family, ritual, reverence, beauty and celebration. Over the years however, many family members have moved on to various places in the cosmos and we don’t see each other anymore. What we do see however, is the special nature of this time that comes in December and ushers us into January and beyond. Advent and Christmas are a launch pad that invites a passage from darkness to light, from endings to new beginnings.
Innate in the human psyche is a need for regular communal celebrations that touch the soul and point beyond themselves. This emphasis reaffirms our common human/divine identities, strengthens our communities and binds us to a world nurtured and supported by Divine Presence. Peace on Earth and Love for All are values that bring us together in spoken and unspoken mysteries of unity, collective responsibility, cooperation, purpose, creativity and abundant life. Here we can discover our spiritual unity in our diversity.
This is a time of special reverence for the Creator and creation; a time of blessing, commemoration and recommitment to the highest cultural ideals and best practices we can know. It’s also a time for celebrating the goodness, awesomeness and ordinary day to day engagements and miracles of Life. It’s not just reserved for a ‘special‘ group of people, but for the whole human family to know and experience our Oneness through a common Source known by many names. It speaks to our hearts and awakens souls.
The word Christ comes from Christos, a Greek word meaning anointing and blessing. It was given to one man who gave it to all humanity. In this divine presence, we are all anointed and blessed to be a blessing. It’s an unconditional gift given everyone at birth that connects our humanity and divinity. Unfortunately, we are taught that only people of our tribe receive this anointing and blessing with conditions. This teaching separates and divides us rather than uniting and bringing us together. It’s imperialism. Not God.
The month of December brings us Advent, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice and Christmas. Each started out with a specific group of people; Christians, Africans, Jews and so called Pagans. Each started out with a purpose to celebrate and affirm their common identity which we are slowly beginning to recognized as the common identity of the whole human family. Intuitively, in the depths of our souls, we all know that we are One family, One community, One Being.
Like so many things we’ve seen as separate, we’re finely coming to know that we are all One. Commemorating the past is ideally a pursuit in experiencing the lessons learned about reverence, respect and remembrance which can draw us toward higher levels of Being. It’s in giving that we can receive, in letting go that we can grow. It’s in death that we find new life, in wonder that wisdom is awakened. Love is letting go of fear. In every breath we can find the blessing and anointing within us here!
This requires our utmost presence. This Presence is beyond thought, word and good intentions. It’s a contemplative dimension that allows us to see through the illusions of our conditioning while opening ourselves to the possibilities and potentialities of our original blessings. It’s about being receptive, ready, willing and able to grow with curiosity and delight on a journey beyond resistance, fight and flight. So, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride of a lifetime here and now. Taste and see, keep learning how.
Remember to remember that the true Spirit of Christmas lies in your heart and soul. From this sacred inner space, you can discover the birthing place that’s always and everywhere anointing and blessing with abundant grace. Remember to Remember.
Gloria in Excelsis Deo! Christmas Presence! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
• This month into the next, meditate on your original anointing and blessings. Let go of all the negativity you’re experiencing and rest in the wonder and beauty of the Who that is Truly You.
• Become aware of how you receive and reject the gift of love for yourself and others. Awaken to the conditioning you received in your life about who you are and who you’re not. Observe how you accept and reject your original anointing and blessings.
• During this Advent and Christmas season, become aware of your innate and wonder-filled blessings. Find the humility and gratitude to live into them. Practice Christmas Presence every day in this season of soul and see what happens. Make it your Mission. Continue to re-member *Christmas Presence* every day in every breath
Christmas Blessings,
Fr. Rick+