When I meditate on the birth of Christ, so much come to mind. But even in these illuminated thoughts, my heart is still. What also comes to mind are questions focused on what Christmas means to the people who live in decorated houses of the season. The people who do not believe in Christ’s birth, and those who cannot find the saliva on their tongues to develop and present the words, Merry Christmas!
Remember back in the day when the word Xmas caused such grief and despair for many? The common slogan to encourage change was, “Keep Christ in Christmas.” This thought begs different questions- why do people who don’t believe still feel the need to celebrate? And, why do they celebrate at all? Is this because of familial expectations? Is it cultural? Why?
Authors of the book “The first day of Jesus: The story of the incarnation” said this:
“The financial side of Christmas has thoroughly shaped and molded its cultural expression. Our economy needs Christmas (p.17).”
Unbelievers in this same economy, need Christmas, even though I occasionally find this system somewhat complicated. Take a neighbor of mine. This year, he sat and waited for me to decorate the outside, which he has somewhat almost duplicated in his own decorating processes. From what I have seen while observing his behavior, I may be led to believe that Christmas is a cultural and not a spiritual experience for him as well as his family. Neighbor, if this comes across your desk, and if I am wrong about this, I’d love to discuss maybe in June of next year (the window of the COVID vaccine’s complete deliverance). This subject baffles me. So much so, I feel compelled to conduct a research study to know the reasons unbelievers celebrate. In fact, I will!
Attempting any research with bias or predictions is never recommended. Yet, I am obliged to dig one hole in this deep space of wonder. I say without any doubt that most people who do not believe in Christ’s birth, celebrate based on pure and sweet love. The kind of love experienced through feelings, sounds, taste, and smells. A celebration of joy, thankfulness, the end of a year, the hope in new beginnings. The moments where each person make conscious decisions to represent the season and its gist to the fullest. To know the time is right, filled of happiness. The time when every person believer or not, become incarnate of complete Love!
The influences above are in line with the soul’s state, which filters into our physical selves. Lights and decorations are dusted off and hung. When souls experience the full meaning of the season, the body can’t help reacting to it. Each time love is introduced, the soul moves from its own virgin conditions. Every instance of unconditional love seems new. Pure love never grows old.
As Christians, the birth of Christ through a remarkable and accepting virgin, Mary, incarnates compassion, empathy, thankfulness, forgiveness, joy, faith, and hope. As a devote Christian, the lights I hang each year fulfills and substantiates His light within and in-out. It is my thought that the lights hung by those who don’t believe in Him, are displayed to fill likewise yearnings of compassion, empathy, thankfulness, forgiveness, joy, faith, and hope.
His light within each person, must be expressed. Just as lights and decorations in boxes of year-old, bring joy when hung, Jesus’ light and His presence offer each believer the same.
So there we are…we are all in this Love together, regardless of our beliefs. As I reflect on these many human conditions, my heart remains still. A decision instills my mind, not to ever force the process of the Christmas season. The connection of soul with love, is a relational experience like no other. The connection of Jesus and His love, is likewise, a relational experience like no other.
Enjoy this holy season,
Charlotte ©
Reference:
Köstenberger, A.J. & Stewart, A.E. (2015). The first day of Jesus: The story of the incarnation. Wheaton, IL: Crossway