“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
John 21:25
Reflection
Yesterday began the beginning of the Winter Solstice. A time of new energy, new beginnings and a time of healing endings. A time to reflect on both light and dark. A time of reflect on birth and death. A time to meditate on the sacred cycles of our world and the universe. The Winter Solstice is a time to reflect inwardly and the gradual progression from darkness to the anticipation of brighter days; physically and spiritually. It's a time to welcome the silence of the darkness and acknowledge our yearnings, hopes and aspirations to come to fruition.
Advent encapsulates the same aspects of the Winter Solstice. During our celebration of Advent, we focus our attention on one single divine moment of time, but also reflect on both the past and future and transitions. No other historical event has transformed our world more radically and spiritually. When Christ came into the world, history from that moment on was forever changed. Even the concept of modern time keeping revolves around this miraculous event. Throughout the Christmas Season, our devotion, focus and activities center around the birth of a baby born into obscurity, oppression and poverty. But Advent also carries with it the subtle undertones of death. Advent is about beginnings and new life, but it also encapsulates the natural reality of death. Advent is about transition.
Christmas is a birthday celebration. Not only the birth of Jesus, but the birth of our Christ nature, and a spiritual transformation of our human existence. As with any birth, Advent is about both beginnings and endings. New life springing forth into humanity, both physically and spiritually and death of the past. All of us celebrate our birthday each year. It’s a reminded of the miraculous moment that we came into the world and the exciting events that surrounded that day. We remember the birth of people we love, honor and respect. Those who still life and those who have passed on to the spiritual realms. We celebrate birth because it reminds us of how precious and miraculous life is, but there is also a underlying aspect of transition and death. Birthdays cause us to reflect on or lives, our mortality, and as we get older, birthdays can become more reflective because our lives become increasingly filled with memorable and life-transforming events.
Unfortunately, it is quite common that when our Christmas celebrations come to and end, so often does our commitment to the spiritual. Christmas comes to an end and we pack away our decorations for another year, and quite often pack away the realization of our true Christ nature. We
return gifts and find room for the gifts that we’ve acquired. As we clean up the house and take a deep
breath to relax, we slowly slip back into life as usual. The problem is that some of us proverbially pack up the truth that we are spiritual transitory beings as well. In two short days, Advent will come to an
end, and quite commonly, so do our times of meditation.
“Jesus did many other things as well”. These words from the Gospel of John, give is the opportunity to commit
to ourselves, and to one another, to continue sharing these stories in our families and collective communities each and
everyday. We do many things within our lifetime. Some carry light that shines and illuminate those around us, and some are enveloped in the dark that draws us inward. May the spirit of Advent
encourage us to move forward with this duality of life, and remember that the birth of Christ is only the
beginning. The beginning of the realization of the Christ nature that dwells with is all through all seasons of life..
Prayer
God of the Universe and All Existence, as we move toward the ending of Advent and observe the transitions of Winter Solstice, let us be renewed in mind and spirit that the celebration of Christmas marks only the beginning of the life of your son, Jesus Christ. After the holidays are complete, let us commit to ourselves to the many other things as well. Let us remember that Christmas marks the beginning of not only the birth of Christ, but his divine nature dwelling within all humanity. Amen.
Peace, Shalom, Shanti, and Eternal Blessings us All
Haribol
