I’m finding it hard to get into the Christmas spirit this year. I haven’t put up any decorations or sent any cards. It seems like such a hollow ritual celebrating an event that never happened historically in the way it’s described. There probably was a person named Jesus, but as for a “virgin” birth, angels, shepherds, magi, etc., that’s just myth which tends to remove the effect of Jesus’ teachings by making him “Son of God” by some miraculous birth. How can we ever hope to follow him? He’s so “special.”
As Meister Eckhart said, what good does it do if Christ was born 2,000 years ago if Christ isn’t born in my heart. That’s the real meaning of Christmas. May Christ be born in your heart as you endeavor to follow his teachings and example by becoming more Christlike.
That becomes more difficult as we pursue a commercialized, sentimentalized version of Christmas. Don’t bust your budget and run yourself ragged this Christmas season. Rather look for Christ within and give the gift of love to all you meet.
Peace,
Steve