This year Christmas has been different.
From an outsider’s viewpoint it would seem just like any other Christmas. You know what I am talking about-the lit up trees and houses, the ornaments, the parties, the songs, the gifts…..nothing out of the ordinary; at least on the surface.
This time around, I found myself remembering Christmas growing up. I lived in Caracas, Venezuela. At night, during this time of the year, the streets would be filled with the clattering and rattling sounds of roller skates hitting hard on the pavement, and the joyful chatter of neighborhoods children gathering for fun time together. Carolers would walk from home to home singing traditional “aguinaldos” and drinking“ Ponche Crema” , the Venezuelan eggnog. Friends would show up unexpectedly with gifts and all sorts of goodies. There was a palpable feeling in the air of infectious joy and gratitude.
What I loved the most was to snick out of my bedroom in the middle of the night and sit quietly in the dark by the lit up tree. The scent of fresh pine filled the living room and the blinking lights transported me into the faraway lands of my imagination. My heart sang in love and joy.
Remembering what Christmas used to feel like those days got me thinking about the true meaning of Christmas Spirit.
I decided to witness life from both sides of the rainbow.
These are some of the experiences I had during the time leading up to Christmas day.
I was invited to a Christmas Party and there was going to be a White Elephant gift exchange. I had picked up a white coffee mug with blue snowflakes and filled it with candies. That was going to be my gift for the exchange.
Right before leaving the house for the party, I got a strong nudge from Spirit to add one box of the contemplation seeds cards to the gift bag. I thought that it was going to be interesting to see who would pick this gift. The box fit perfectly in the blue and white coffee mug bag.
The time arrived for the gift exchange and I noticed that everyone else’s gift bags were very large in comparison to mine. I also noticed that my little bag had been pushed all the way back into a corner at one end of the table and was barely visible.
People came and went picking up the large bags until came the turn of a young Latin man. He must have been barely 20 years old. He approached the table with the remaining gifts; mine still hiding behind larger ones. He carefully looked at every wrapped gift on the table, walked to the end and reached behind a large package to pick up a small white and blue bag. He opened it, took out the box of cards and looked at it with interest. Then he walked back to his seat to take a better look at his gift. Recognizing my picture on the back of the box, he approached me. “Would you please show me how to use it?” He said.
We both walked to his table and sat side by side. I explained what the cards were for and how to use them. His eyes were filled with the curiosity of a child. “Can I ask a question for guidance now?” He asked. I nodded and watched as he shuffled the cards while asking out loud, “I want to know how to be a better person.”
There are no words that can describe the moment. My eyes filled up with tears as I looked at this young man open his heart to Spirit in search for spiritual guidance. I felt grateful for the opportunity to witness and experience God’s love. The young man got his answer and he thanked me for the wonderful gift. I thanked him back for the wonderful gift he had given me in return.
Christmas Spirit in action.
One morning I was driving and listening to callers sharing Christmas experiences on the radio. This one woman shared a story from a prior Christmas at her house that touched my heart as it spoke of the true meaning of Christmas.
She had hanged the Christmas stockings over the mantle of the fireplace. Each stocking had a letter and they spelled the word NOEL. One morning she noticed that someone had moved the stockings around and it now spelled the word LEON. She decided to leave it like that to see who would notice. Days went by and people came and went visiting, exchanging gifts. Nobody noticed. She observed it all and kept quiet. She realized that people were too focused on the gifts, having fun, drinking, talking, etc. to pay attention to anything else.
Finally, one of her kids noticed “Mom who is LEON?” he asked. At that moment everybody stopped what they were doing and looked up at the stockings. It was then that they realized this was a sign from Spirit reminding them of the importance to keep the attention on what is really important, the true Spirit of Christmas. Since that day her family makes it a point to remember God’s love and to be grateful for it.
Christmas Spirit in action.
I was hungry and wanted to get something to eat at Whole Foods salad bar. The parking lot was packed with cars and people. As I made a turn, I didn’t realize that there were people crossing the street in front of me. I came to a sudden stop a few feet shy of hitting an older man. He was obviously startled, as was I. I immediately apologized sincerely. This was received with raging words and a killer look. I apologized again to reassure him that all was okay and that I meant no harm to him. He was furious and would not let it go. I let him go through the motions until he begrudgingly moved along. A woman behind him, also crossing the street, looked at me with gentle eyes and made a gesture to just let it go. I smiled at her, feeling the love coming from her heart.
We all make mistakes at some point or another and as long as we recognize our part and apologize, we are forgiven. We are able to do so when our hearts are open.
The old man’s heart was filled with frustration while the woman’s heart was open with gratitude. It is what it is. I sure have been on both sides of this rainbow!
Christmas Spirit in action.
I witnessed a very nice Christian family having a fun and loving time together until one of them decided to spew pure rage against a politician. The entire family joined into the bashing and I observed how in matters of seconds they went from being loving and caring people to becoming demon possessed individuals. It was a scary thing to watch.
What makes people do this? I believe it is because they forgot the Christmas Spirit and allowed their hearts to be filled with fear instead of love.
This “negative” experience is also Christmas Spirit in action because one thing I have realized is that the presence of CHRIST is always within ALL of us. We make the choice to act from it or not. Christmas time is a reminder to open our hearts and allow the Spirit of Christ to be re-born in us. It is the Birth of the Golden Child. The Golden Child within our hearts. CHRISTmas.
I noticed that this year some of the people who always connect with me to wish me a Happy Season, didn’t do so while many others who had never contacted me suddenly, our of the blue, did.
I was saddened to be forgotten by some of those I love and my heart was hurting.
Then, the Holy Spirit spoke, “Are you seeing things through the lenses of pain or through the loving heart?” “Are you withholding the love for some people because of your feelings of rejection?” “What does it do to you and your heart when you withhold love?”
A card from the deck gave me the final touch of guidance: “Your Attitude Makes the Difference.”
Merry CHRISTmas everyone! May the CHRISTmas Spirit enter your hearts and reside in them every moment!
The Road Home 