The Christmas Gift

The holidays are upon us already! When did that happen? In fact, many countries around the world have festivities in full swing by now. The December season holds celebrations of many different kinds and for people of a great variety of religious faiths and secular customs. Some celebrate it as the birth date of Jesus and some look forward to the arrival of Santa or Father Christmas. Others celebrate very diverse holidays during December such as Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Omisoka, Pancha Ganapate, Winter Solstice festivals and many others.

No matter the name or purpose of the celebration, there are usually colorful festivals, probably gifts or traditional foods, gatherings of friends and loved ones, and often some time set aside for prayers, personal reflections and meditation.

While most Christians view Christmas as a time to welcome Jesus the Christ into the world, I prefer to think of this holiday as a time to acknowledge and affirm the living presence of the Christ Spirit self in each and every one of us.

These ideas are not new. In the Metaphysical Bible Dictionary, written by Charles Fillmore, the Unity movement co-founder, Christ is defined as, "... the complete idea of perfect man in Divine Mind. He is the embodiment of all divine ideas, such as intelligence, life, love, substance, and strength." Fillmore further states, "This Christ...is the true, spiritual, higher self of every individual. Each of us has within him the Christ, just as Jesus had..."

I believe there is the potential, whether humanly realized yet or not, for all of us to be absolute goodness, to perform miracles, and to demonstrate infinite, unconditional Love for ourselves and for each other. Because we have these capabilities, we are, in fact, Christ beings ourselves, a part of and one with the man Jesus, with each other, with the Holy Spirit, and with our Infinite Source Energy. What wonderful news this is, worthy of celebration and good cheer!

So, when we settle into thoughts of what our holidays mean to each of us personally, we can begin to think of ourselves, individually and collectively, as spiritually human gifts to each other and to the world. When I myself think of my person as a holiday gift to another, or to humanity in general, I visualize my spiritual characteristics bolded and highlighted. Front and center are faith, hope, joy, gratitude and most especially Love. These things, and more, are what I offer freely to anyone and everyone, particularly during the busy and hectic holidays.

So, tie a silver star in your hair or a piece of red garland around your wrist; put a smile on your lips and a twinkle in your eyes. Decorate your spiritually human gift of Love as simply or as elaborately as you want. Do whatever will remind you, all during your holiday festivities, that you are the Christ gift to everyone you meet.

Affirmation: I now embody the Christ Spirit in my thoughts and actions. I Am a Christ gift to the world.

I now allow, acknowledge, accept and affirm that these things are so.

I wish all of you the most merry of holidays, no matter what or how you celebrate, and a healthy, happy, prosperous 2024.

Love and blessings to you all.

Rev Rita