Contemplative Christmas

Wednesday, December 25

Christmas Day

Reading:

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” [1]

Meditation:

Embrace the Darkness

Everything in creation manifests in darkness.

The Bible’s first creation story reads:

“…the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep…”

All new life emerges from under the cover of darkness:

A mother’s womb; the ocean depths; seeds buried underground.

We only fear darkness because we do not comprehend it.

What we perceive as the color black is not a color at all –

Black is latent energy that holds all color within itself,

Just as the tiny acorn holds the giant oak.

When light shines in the darkness

An endless diversity of shapes and hues is revealed to us.

As darkness is impregnated by the Light of Spirit

The created universe bursts forth into conscious awareness.

What we call darkness is the part of reality our senses cannot differentiate

Since our bodies process but a fraction of God’s reality;

The rest is darkness to us.

Far from being evil, darkness is the ground of all being prior to our awareness of it.

Darkness is where new life begins.

This Christmas, embrace the darkness as you pray for the Light.

Optional Music Video: Embrace the Darkness

Closing Meditation:

Sit in silent stillness and embrace the spirit of Christmas within you.

Journal your thoughts and feelings.

This daily series, Contemplative Christmas, is replacing my weekly Life Notes until January 6, 2025, when my weekly blog will resume. The thoughts expressed here are mine. To engage with me: ghildenbrand@outlook.com.

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[1] John 1:5