As I was shoveling 4’ of snow off the back deck of our cabin last evening, I had a lot of time to think. Demands on my practice led me to wrestle more with the real meaning of Christmas.
As I mentioned in a blog posting a few days ago, many people call into my practice this time of year upset and depressed over the holiday season. They do not feel the spirit of Christmas. They feel lonely, forgotten, isolated perhaps, or, on the other side of the same coin, stressed out by getting caught up into buying things, managing debt, overeating, dealing with relatives, or trying to do too much in too little time.
As a long list of objections people have with Christmas rolled through my mind, an inner voice protested, “This ought not to be! Christmas is not about accelerating socializing, partying, eating, spending, buying, coping and pleasing personal sense. Christmas is all about the coming of Christ and the fulfillment of Christ’s promise, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’” (Luke 2:14)
Aw, yes, I especially liked the promise of peace.
Christmas is all about peace! A bright light turned on in my thought. Not a superficial, turn down the material noise and dwell in artificial material calm, type of peace. But a deep-rooted profound anchored fixedness within that comes from knowing one is a precious loved spiritual child of God.
I often watch people seek Christmas in the things they do, the places they vacation or the families they visit. But it seems to me that Christmas is not found in geography, society, or consumerism. It’s found in a mental atmosphere of prayerfulness and spiritual mindedness. And this environment of peace is equally accessible by one and all whether they sit at a dinner table for one or find themselves in a room of bustling human activity.
Isn’t Christmas about the peace of God taking over human consciousness, purging it of strain and stress, despair and depression, and overflowing it with gratitude, heavenly joy and love unbounded? I pondered.
Christ has come. Christ is here. Christ is leading humanity to a higher hope than any idealized temporal human scenario could ever deliver. Christ leads us right to heaven where joys are eternal, companionship with God’s family members complete, and love unfailing.
Heaven is home, and Christ takes us there.
On the eve of Christmas Day 2008, I wish you the very best Christ has to offer, and pray the peace of Christ so permeate your every thought and action, that after the day comes and goes, you march on feeling closer to God than ever before.
Merry Christmas! And peace, good will to you all.
Oh, and yes, I did finish shoveling the deck. It was a very productive time with God, indeed.
Much love…
Wonderful thoughts Evan. Thanks for the re-focusing me on what Christmas is all about.
Thank you for this and all of your wonderful articles — to me, Christmas is an “extra-special” celebration of Jesus — why he came, what he taught — as Mrs. Eddy writes: he taught “the healing Power of Truth and Love”
Helen St. John
Wonderful…thank you!
In last week’s Bible Characters for your weekly Bible Study on CSDirectory.com highlights from a 1924 article in the CS Sentinel (page 326 by Lillian M McCullough) were shared. The one statement that I have been pondering is:
“To the student of Christian Science, Christmas has a deep and far-reaching signficance. More than an annual season of rejoicing and good cheer, it pertains to a state of consciousness which he strive to attain and reflect throughout each day of the year.”
Wow – a state of consciousness, it’s all mental.
Thank you Evan. I received two gifts this year for Christmas which I am especially grateful for. The first came in the form of one of YOUR blogs entitled simply “A Christmas Story”. It was a simple story. The second was a wonderful Christian Science Lecture I attended entitled “How Silently, how silently, the wonderous gift is given” (a line from the hymn “Little Town of Bethleham” #222 in The Christian Science Hymnal). The lecture was given in Winter Park, FL by Marta Greenwood, C.S.B. of London, England. During this lecture, which was about achieving true world peace, the most remarkable revelation came to my thought…”I Am a shepherd!” The angel announcing Christ’s birth appeared to those considered the “lowest of the low” in that culture…those who tended sheep. Along with my revelation came a most remarkable sense of peace and feeling of well-being.
Christmas gifts don’t always come in packages wrappped in ribbon, the best ones do come “silently”.
An actively peaceful Christmas to you and your family too, Evan! Thanks for all the practical, spiritual gifts you’ve shared this year.
Chrsitmas Blessings!
Linda & Bill
This time of the year lends itself to the many wonderful healings we have experienced throughout 2008.
It makes me appreciate your daily postings and thoughts which keep me focused on our spiritual being and keep my thoughts clear and fresh.
Thank you for keeping your students updated and aware of our continued purpose in spreading our healings with others and help direct their concerns to overcome sin, sickness, desease and death. A job well done Evan.
Thank you so much for this wonderful message, which certainly separates the tares from the wheat. I am so grateful for your blogs, you are such an inspiration and blessed light. Merry Christmas.
Thanks Evan for your very timely comments. They lift my spirits on a not so good days and make my best days even better. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Paula
Thank you, Evan. I love the peacefulness of snow, quiet, serene. Though I have children and family near I spend much time alone to enjoy the peace—outof choice.
I greatly admire your ability to post these daily comments. It takes a lot of time and concentration.
Thank you and Happy New Year