Atongla Rothrong
It’s nice to know that in our commercialized society we have at least one holiday that revolves entirely around religion, not around profit-hungry businesses trying to get a firm grip on our wallets and pocketbooks. Right? I mean, Christmas is still all about the birth of Jesus Christ, isn’t it? I guess it all depends on who you listen to. Take it from a kid who grew up making a point to attend church on 25th of December donning a new dress and never stressed religion much at all. What I learned about Christmas in the early part of my life came from killing the fattest pig for family get together on this day; cousins long lost appearing out of nowhere, watching television specials and commercials. (TV as a learning device can be pretty dangerous.)
Christmas is so familiar that we sometimes wonder whether anything fresh and true can be said about it. But there is a way to survey its meaning that may seem new to us today, yet is in fact quite traditional, dating back to the middle Ages and the ancient Fathers of the Church.
If in spite of the undecided feelings, you keep on celebrating the Christmas holiday, it could be because of its hidden meaning. There is a lot of controversy and confusion in people’s minds over Christmas and its meaning both in our personal lives and in the world. Some people feel it is an exclusively Christian holiday, holding no special meaning for them. Others believe it is nothing more than a feeding passion for the free market and an excuse to get people to open their wallets at every turn. Others take the viewpoint that it is a holy day that is cheapened and diminished by all the gaudy festivities. Yet few, if any, when really pressed, are willing to give up the Christmas holiday, in spite of their ambivalent feelings.
The reason for this is because of the real meaning behind the Christmas season. A meaning that we all somehow psychically feel even though our own intellect doesn’t fully comprehend what all the fuss is about. Let’s try to recapture the riches of this lost worldview by applying the spiritual sense of the Christmas story to our lives. For that story happens not only once, in history, but also many times in each individual’s soul. Christ comes to the world — but He also comes to each of us. Advent happens over and over again.
That hidden meaning is that Christmas is the festival of the human heart. It is a time of year when the entire universe plots to raise the vibratory level of consciousness on earth to one of peace and love toward ourselves and one another. This season reverberates to the sweet, childlike innocence that is within all of us. A time when the heavenly forces inspire us to reallocate our focus away from fear and toward one of joy, and healing.
I would emphasize Christmas festival in two ways; one is the rebirth of the soul and the second is the return of the light to earth. Even before the rebirth of Christ which centers on our modern day Christmas festival, as far back as recorded history, in fact, these two themes of rebirth and light have emerged again and again during this time of year. Yet even knowing the true meaning of the Christmas season is not enough to convince some people of its importance. “Peace! Goodwill! Humbug!” they cry just as Scrooge did in the famous Dickens fable.
Each occasion we create to feel the vibrations of Christmas helps raise the consciousness of the planet and return it to balance. For every person creating joy, there is one less person in pain. Therefore, the best gift you can give to yourself and the world during this holiday season is a cup of spiced cider, a delicious Christmas cookie, a round of jingle bells, and the gift of self love. So be it.
