Season of Advent: Peace, Day 3

Season of Advent: Peace, Day 3

Reading:

“Christmas comes with many assumptions – some helpful, some not so much. Spirituality also comes with many assumptions, and the ones that fail us are the ones we make about what it’s supposed to look like, who is worthy for it to happen to, and what kind of outcome it’s supposed to have for us.”[1]

Reflection:

If we believe that Jesus came to free us from our sin, and as we understand that sin is what separates us from God and others, then it follows that Jesus came to free us from our sense of separation, our sense of aloneness. Jesus came to unite us and make us One. God is not separate from us in spite of the fact that we cannot see or know God in the same ways we see and know others. We are not God, but we are not other than God either.

Jesus came to reveal the bridge between heaven and earth, the spiritual and physical realms. That bridge is a way of life and a conscious state of being, not a physical structure. His life demonstrated that our sense of separation from the heavenly, spiritual realm is an illusion. That sense of separateness is our creation, not God’s. Following the life and teachings of Jesus helps us become consciously aware of our inherent union with God and others. Whenever we see, respect, and acknowledge another, God affirms them through us. And by the example of his life Jesus says, “This is what a loving, connected life looks like. Follow me.”

            Bringing peace to our part of the world requires that we affirm and honor our Oneness with everything in creation. What threatens one threatens all; what benefits one benefits all.

Closing Meditation:

Identify a few assumptions or expectations you have about Christmas that destroy your sense of peace.

Journal your thoughts and feelings about them.

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] Scott Erickson, Honest Advent, Zondervan Books, 2020, pp. 90-91.