Finding Our Way Home to That Place Where Christmas Always Lives

 

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. – Hamilton Wright Mabie

 

We feel the joy and listen with adoration as choirs sing ‘Hark the herald angels’ and ‘O come all ye faithful’. Hearts open as we bow before the baby Jesus in the manger. Eyes light up as Christmas tree lights flicker and turn on. This is a special time. Crimes against others drop. Soldiers from opposing fronts have been known to stop warring and share what little they had. What is it about Christmas that is so powerful that it evokes a sense of world-wide community, even among non-Christians? If we can figure the answer to this question, we can change our world. Imagine what would happen, what our world could be like, if everyday was Christmas?

 

What does Christmas stir up within you? Does it remind you of the scent of cookies baking, or gifts brightly wrapped and placed under the tree? Does it bring to mind midnight services or the sparkle of children’s eyes upon spotting Santa Claus? Is Christmas a time for us to reunite with family and friends, even those that have pushed our buttons or from whom we have separated ourselves in the past? What stirs?

 

At Christmas time there is a heightened expectation of good just around the corner. Good smells, good gifts, and the goodness of each other and of God. It is a sense so palpable that it permeates the air. The cookies and presents, when seen clearly, are our gifts to others and our selves. Our actions become prayer-in-action when given generously, in adoration of each other. Our daily lives soften with our willingness to see the presence of good rather than evil. These are our responses to God’s gift to us—freely given back, the flow of love entered into, the spirit of Christmas coming alive. 

 

Even though the lost, the frightened, and the lonely around the world find Christmas and other holidays hard to handle, the Christmas experience triggers the 100^th monkey effect as more than enough numbers tip the scales to love. The effect though, is not only due to our world’s Christians. December is a special month for many religions, making it undeniably, a very sacred month.  December 5^th is the celebration of the Buddha’s day of enlightenment.  Hajj and Eid Al-Adha, Islamic religious holidays, both fall in December, as does the Jewish celebration of Chanukah. At this blessed time of the year adoring eyes across the world and across religions, are raised to God in love.  This miraculous effect is a result of us all!

 

Was Jesus born to inspire us in such amazing ways for just one month each year? Is the annual build-up to December 25^th all that we can or should expect? What would Jesus say if we could ask Him? What would Jesus do about poverty? What would he do about the banking implosion and all the hands looking for 700 billion dollars in handouts? What would he do about illness and the inability of so many people to access help? What would he do about our persistent belief that war is necessary, that it is our answer? What would he do about the frail health of our planet? As he stood silently looking at our creation, what would he ask of us? Would he ask for more from us, perhaps asking for even as much as he gave? 

 

We are inspired at Christmas time. We are inspired to give to the needy. We are inspired to lay down arms, locally and globally. We come together in our workplaces and find ways to expand our personal ability to give into larger, more meaningful capacities. We are on the right track. Even the air we breathe gives testament to this truth. When we stop and pay attention we can feel love in the air and it touches us and reconnects us to what is important. We know what to do. We already do it and it makes us feel great to be good again! Our hearts know this way of giving, is the way.

 

Christmas is not just a once a year feel-good, feel-love time. It holds within it another gift. It has the power to show us the way back into real community, into the possibility of honoring each other equally as ourselves. When we are willing to see, it will show us that love is the only answer and that anything other than love comes up short and precipitates a fall from grace. If nothing else during Christmas this year, stop and acquaint yourself with this love you plainly give and that makes you feel so wonderful. Recognize its caress—how it touches your body, your heart, your soul. Memorize every curve and contour and become conscious that this gift comes freely when you love, when you are willing to give of your self to others. And, when descended into distrust and old modes of self protection, use this memory to find your way home to that place where Christmas always lives.

 

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world – stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death – and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas. – Henry Van Dyke

Would love your comments and thoughts!  Gayle