Some look at Christmas and forget their childhood. Others consider the holiday origin or the way businesses have hijacked the day and forget the holiday’s spirit. My view is more relaxed. Is there a literal St. Nick? Maybe somewhere, sometime. Is the holiday accurate in Christian history? Other than a few characters, nothing suggests the holiday rests in historical truth. In this knowledge, my response focuses on the spirit of Christmas. Any holiday which brings good news and cheer to humanity is a good thing! I want to embrace the spirit of St. Nick. I want to celebrate the universal joy of love and the possibilities Hope gifts us with. I want to celebrate and cheer every act of kindness, every gift of care and love. In short, I am all in!
I hear Life laughing with me as I declare my commitment. Whispers take me to task with the following observations.
When it comes to Love and Hope, “you {at least I] can’t pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God’s law and ignoring others.” (James 2.10) There are grounding principles which define, and shape, Divinity and all things associated with Her. At the center is a simple yet wildly complex word, love. As it cascades outwards, there are attributes and attestations which follow – choosing the center means you choose everything.
In one’s embrace, there are no limits. I find myself laughing as my pointless attempts to shorten my reach, limit my steps. When I do, if only in the dark night which inevitably follows, I know I have tried to pick and choose who and how Love and Hope are applied. It doesn’t work that way! While I may fail, living life to the full comes with learning, growing, and reaching beyond anything one thinks is possible.
To live, one must eat. Feeding one’s heart and soul with love, compassion, and mercy is the gateway to giving it all away. Embracing what Divinity has done for you is the best gift you can leave with Her.
