December 2010

Christmas is love in action, a love so powerful that it overrides anything of an opposite nature. For that reason, atheists and non-believers should be urged to give up hate and resentment of the years loveliest season because they are battling unsuccessfully the greatest Force in the world. Forget about prayer on public occasions. Forget about creches on public property. Forget about the authenticity of a Jewish rabbi who established a religion that has existed for over 2,000 years.

Come out from the dark alleyways of protestation and dissension. Come out into the enlightened thought that recognizes our material world as a poor second to life lived in acknowledgement of the divinity within each of us. There are those who take literally the journey of Mary and Joseph, the crowded inn, the birth of a babe in a manger, the adoration of the Magi, the jubilation of the shepherds, the worshiping animals. There are those who read into the Biblical account a new Force came into the world, a saving Force, a Christ consciousness love for all mankind. Regardless of ones individual interpretation, the point remains that a sense of saving Grace came into being on that occasional love of man for mankind. Is that not what Christmas is all about? Should we not realize that Christmas is beyond human hood? Have you ever been aware of how simple it is at Christmas time to look upon others neighbors, business associates, those not particularly close to us with kindness, compassion, even affection? Have you ever realized how easy it is to be happy at Christmas time? It's as though something other than oneself took over, as though an invisible Something within was in temporary command of our thoughts, our emotions, our outlook.

Our world has suddenly become silver-polished, gleaming and bright. Love in action sometimes becomes strenuous. We send out dozens of Christmas cards, we spend far too much money on gifts for those we love; we practically wear ourselves out getting ready for Christmas. In our desire to do for others, we dive into a splurge of commercialism far removed from the original meaning of the day; and yet when it is all over, as we collapse with relief and weariness, it is with a sense of having reached for a few hours, for a day or two, a plateau just a bit higher than mere human hood. We have given vent to the love that is stored up within us, a love that needs to be released not just at the Christmas season but every hour of every day of the year. Love is of God, and as we release love to all around us, we are releasing God into a bitter, confused, angry world, a world that is destroying itself. Can't you see how essential it is that we continue to celebrate Christmas one day out of an entire year when we pour forth love, God's love.

Hate and resentment are no part of the Christmas consciousness that glorifies the risen Christ within each of us. And as we glorify the Christ within us, we are proving that Christmas truly is love in action.