American Unitarian Conference Forum

Full Version: Merry Christmas
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This is a season when many people become overwhelmed by darkness, despair, and loneliness.  People fight over the meaning of the holiday and its origins.  People look to past losses of loved ones and lost opportunities.  It does not seem to be a very merry time or season.  The meaning of Christmas has been lost by many.

Regardless of religious background, faith, or non faith, everyone can be infected by the spirit of the season.

What is this infection?

This is the still small spark that is placed within the heart and mind.  It is the hope and renewal of new life.  It is the dreams and hopes of each individual for a better future. This infection is very contagious.

How can this infection be nurtured?

It is not by the giving of expensive gifts.  It is not by throwing lavish parties.  It is by giving the most precious gift that we have:  Our love.  We can greet those we meet with a hug and a kiss.  We can let them know that they are cared for and loved.  If you are uncomfortable with hugs and kisses, a nod of the head and a big smile will do.  The spark within will grow as it is nurtured.  The spirit within will radiate out and infect all who are near.

What will happen?

We will begin to see our home; friends and relatives, neighborhood, town, and country become a little more loving and caring.  As the infection spreads the whole world will start to change.  Do not worry about this; just see that your small circle is infected.  The rest will take care of itself.  We will begin to see our thoughts and dreams for a more loving place become a reality.  We will begin to see the development of a world where all can live together in harmony and peace.

Can this infection be stopped?

Only if we let our ability to love die.  Only if we can take away the dreams and hopes for the good of all humanity can this infection be eradicated.  So the possibility if it being stopped is very, very remote.  As long as the spark remains in one person, the whole world can be infected.

So have a Merry, Merry Christmas and a Happy and Loving New Year.

With love,

Rev Dorris
I love Christmas...in all of its secular / pagan / Christian themed ways. If we did not have such a holiday it would have been invented out of necessity. The point in the year of longest dark, cold weather (for those of us north of you Rev. Dorris!) and the "rebirth" of the Sun are powerful themes...and have been in most cultures.

For Christians, Jesus is the reason for the season; but in reality, the season is the reason for celebrating Jesus, Sol Invictus, Saturnalia, Mithra and a host of other Gods that man has thanked for bringing light and warmth back into the world..be it physical or spiritual. As a Unitarian, I celebrate God's gift of Love found in the sustanence of life on earth, lessons from the life of Jesus, love for and from our children, spouses, family, friends and all other sources that brighten our lives.

Merry Christmas to all! Happy Holi-days!

Here is a good Wikipedia article on the historical development of Christmas:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas
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