How did you spend your Christmas day?

Someone asked me during the week if I celebrate Christmas. They asked, as a Spiritualist, do I even believe in God? And if not, how can I celebrate Christmas? Besides trying to control my face so my dumbfounded-ness didn’t insult them, it got me thinking about the traditions of celebrating religious holidays as a Spiritualist.

Are you like 20% of the population who say they are SBNR? Spiritual but not religious? A good chunk of our society describes themselves as this these days. And for the most part, it’s not really an issue (for anyone) until we reach what is supposed to be designated as a religious holiday. Did you forget Christmas is supposed to be about religion? It’s not surprising really, amongst all the pomp and ceremony that happens every year. And I’m not referring to Midnight Mass, but the deeply sacrilegious act of SHOPPING!

“It’s nearly Christmas”, heralds my mum (from early in August!). “I need to start preparing for Christmas, it comes around so fast”. To me, this means she will spend the next 9 pensions on gathering bits and bobs which sit in the bath (the coolest part of the house) waiting for the “big day”, all the while explaining what she got and what she still needs to get and how “stressed” she is with the whole thing. And can’t it be over yet? Hmm….

To me, this translates as, I’m going to spend money I don’t really have, on people who really don’t need anything, because a child was born, and God forbid anyone misses out! in the name of Christmas Spirit? What about celebrating the Spirit of Vodka?? Or the Holy Ghost?? Who is the Holy Ghost anyway and is he any different to the one who sits in the corner of my bedroom? Kidding!!!

It doesn’t really matter, does it? As long as we are all together eating more than we desire, rehashing old stories we know off by heart; and after it’s all said and done, we can say we have bonded once again, as a real family should. Now that’s true Spirit!!! Or it would be if Uncle Bruce hadn’t burnt the pork crackle in the microwave and drunk all the red wine!!

I wonder if it would have the same meaning if we could all come together without the presents, but where our presence is the present? Without the mounds of food and over indulgence, not to mention the looming credit card bills bound for your inbox and just give of our time and BE with each other?

Should we be celebrating a Christian holiday, designated as a mandatory public holiday, if we are not religious? Have we lost the true meaning of Christmas? Christians didn’t even start celebrating Jesus’s birthday until 336 years AFTER he supposedly died! Are we trying to make up for all those missed birthdays?

I was reading an article by Andrew Harvey, where he was outlining the differences between organised religion and Spirituality. He states 5 key differences between many organised religions and Spirituality as –

1. Many organised religions represent God as an external entity. Spirituality portrays God as an integral aspect of our humanity. We need something to believe in but fail most often to believe in ourselves.
2. Many organised religions demand that you follow an external set of rules based on the experiences of others. Spirituality encourages you to seek your own experiences through inner exploration and discovery. As within, so without.
3. Many organised religions are about the depths of your beliefs. Spirituality is about the depths of your consciousness. To me consciousness is about awareness. Once you are aware of something, you can’t un-know it. You either know it or you don’t, right?
4. Many organised religions preach to us about God. Spirituality encourages us to achieve God consciousness. One aspect of real faith is a constant awareness of God’s divine presence throughout the various routines of daily life.
5. Some organised religions assert that their method of worship is the only true path to God. Spiritualism maintains that all rivers lead to the same ocean. Thus, when conflict arises, religion tends to divide while Spirituality unites. But to be honest, the “my way or the highway” kind of dogma is also found in some who claim to be Spiritualists. To me, this is just Ego and for some it knows no bounds, not religious nor Spiritualist!

It’s not surprising then that many religious people become disillusioned with the Jesus presented by theologians and church leaders, who have edited, misinterpreted or distorted Jesus’ original teachings. Jesus, according to Andrew Harvey, was “Spiritual but not religious”. He came to earth, not to be or show the way, but to lead the way! The way where? To an evolutionary path that would birth a new kind of human being – one that is an incarnate of the Divine on Earth. As a Spiritualist, I believe we are all part of the Divine. And by that assumption then, aren’t we all here to lead the way? Knowing this, how would you lead the way for others? How do you choose to be in your life? What virtues do you hold near and dear to your heart that act as your guiding light? And not just on designated holidays, but in EVERY DAY Life?

And where does that leave us ‘Spiritual but not religious people’ when it comes to baby Jesus’ birthday? I would suggest the same as everyone else! Desiring to come together with our family and friends to celebrate LIFE. And by LIFE, I mean, the fact have we have one at all! If you believe in miracles, then believe in the miracle of life. Just ask any man or women desiring to have children, denied the ability, how important new life is to them. And it’s not just Life, but a part of life we all take for granted. TIME. Time is a gift. Ask the old man taking his last breath what his greatest wish is, and he will respond, ‘I wish for more time’.

So as Christmas day ends for another year, I ask you, how did you spend your time today? Were you worried about the turkey being dry? Were you worried about how your sibling, being their usual ‘selfish’ self would impact the day? Did you stop and acknowledge the TIME it took to prepare for the day’s festivities? Acknowledge this TIME in your LIFE, however you chose to spend it? Or did you wish it away?

Without the people you hold near and dear, this day is just another day. Religious or Spiritual, it doesn’t really matter. It only matters that you spend it wisely. If you spent the day celebrating family and friends, good for you! If you spent your time alone, I hope you spent your time wisely too.

Take the time before the day ends to be appreciative of the TIME you had to spend with your loved ones if you got the chance. Be appreciative of the LIFE you are having the opportunity to LIVE. Love whatever you chose and laugh at the people who pose the silly questions!

Merry Christmas?

Happy Holidays?

How about,

Live, Laugh, Love…

Emma

Em x