Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. A tiny baby born to young parents. Born in humble surroundings. Born during a difficult time in human history. Born with a Divine Mission that would benefit all people.
The Christmas Story
“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife,who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold,an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!— Luke 2: 1-14
In our church we have members who do not have a Christian background. Some have a Jewish or Buddhist background. Some refer to themselves as spiritual, but not religious.
But what binds all of us together is Divine Love. And every Sunday, I talk about Jesus’ teachings and how to live them in our lives. At the heart of all these teachings is Divine Love; Jesus of Nazareth was the embodiment of that Love. His birth is something that we can all celebrate, no matter what our background.
A Grown-Up Christmas List
This Christmas, I invite you to make a list, not a list of gifts you hope to receive at Christmas, but a list of gifts you’ve already received and are grateful for because of the life of Jesus Christ.
Here is mine in part…
Thank you, Jesus, for coming into this world.
Thank you for seeing that we needed help, we needed forgiveness, we needed to turn away from the ego and toward Love and Wholeness, and to discern and act upon God’s guidance and not our personal agendas.[1]
Thank you for your birth on earth; Divine Love embodied in the tiny form of a newborn baby.
Thank you for pointing us to our unlimited potential as children of God.[2]
Thank you for showing us how to open up to that potential through your teachings.[3]
Thank you for showing us how to live as children of God.
And most of all, thank you for showing us the crucial importance of opening our hearts to loving God, all others, and ourselves. This is of crucial importance, not only in our personal lives, but also for the future of this world.[4]
(In the time of Jesus), humanity had reached a very low state. Mankind’s salvation depended on again joining its consciousness to the Christ. Jesus knew God as unlimited love and as ever-present, abundant life. He knew God as Father. He knew that as Son of God He had access to every blessing, to all the wisdom, love, and help of the Father. Jesus is the Wayshower. He came that we might have life more abundantly. He came to awaken man to the possibilities of his own nature.— Charles Fillmore
We desperately needed this 2000 years ago, and we desperately need it today. So many are in need. So very many are suffering. Humankind is still in a low state of consciousness. We give thanks for those who are awakening to the Christ within them, and whose hearts and minds are open to Divine Love and therefore Divine Intelligence. These dear ones are still a minority on this planet.
A gift to Jesus this Christmas
The greatest gift you can give to Christ in gratitude for all that he brought to us, is to join in building a Kingdom of Love and Kindness wherever you are; a Kingdom of Love that comes from your open heart and from learning to listen for the “still, small voice” within, instead of the loud voice of the outer world; a Kingdom created from your commitment to take positive and compassionate action in your life and in the world. A kingdom that values and welcomes all people.
Truly there is only One Love. Through our hearts may His love shine!
We wish you and your family and dear ones a Most Blessed and Merry Christmas~
Rev. Nancy
*For a lovely video featuring beautiful scenes of the Nativity and set to a new version of the song “Love Came Down at Christmas,” please see http://youtu.be/g4o6gqwwhnU