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Jeremiah 10:
3-4 "For
the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the
forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with
nails and with hammers, that it move not.
"
This
holiday season begins with Hanukkah on December 16th, then Christmas on
the 25th and Kwanzaa on the 26th. The holiday season is for
everyone; Christians, Jews, those who celebrate Kwanzaa ... and those
who celebrate just for the joy of giving and receiving gifts, feasting
on seasonal foods and coming together with their families and friends.
There is a great diversity in the celebration of these holidays and what
some may enjoy, others do not. The reason for the season is to
celebrate ... whatever it is that we choose to celebrate.
Each holiday that is being
celebrated is rich in history and tradition. We may not personally
feel connected to all of these holidays but few of us do not know
someone who celebrates a holiday different than the one we personally
celebrate ... Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days ... and Kwanzaa is
celebrated for seven days: December 26 - January 1st ... The origins of
Santa Claus and the Christmas tree, jingle bells and holly have nothing
to do with the Christian view of Christmas, but they are valued aspects
of the celebration nonetheless.
In the Science of Mind we learn that we
are all of the One Father, Infinite Spirit. Religion teaches that
we are of the house of Abraham ... but this idea doesn't go far enough.
There is only One Life ... that Life Is God ... and each of us are
infinitely individualized expressions of this One Life. Religion
is but one more way in which the world has created the illusion of
separation rather than the realization of One-ness. This month's
holiday celebrations can instill within us a greater sense of separation
... or a greater sense of One-ness. It is a choice ... and I
suggest that we choose to open our minds to appreciate the diversity,
not the differences in these celebrations. Hanukkah is no less
valid than Christmas ... and for some, Kwanzaa brings not only a week of
celebration but a greater sense of dignity and self-worth.
This past week I experienced two events here in
Palm Springs that begin the season ... World AIDS Day, December 1st, and
the Festival of Lights Parade, December 2nd ... both events touched me
due to the diversity of people who participated in both events.
World AIDS Day was a reminder to us that for many this disease has taken
its toll ... in the loss of loved ones and the loss of health in so
many. It was also a reminder that the collective consciousness of
the world must change. AIDS is spreading rapidly in countries
across the globe ... and it is necessary that we "lift up" the
consciousness in order to see this disease healed. As Dr. Murphy
so directly pointed out in his work; there are no incurable diseases ...
only incurable people. We must believe within ourselves that AIDS
can be healed ... and in doing so we begin an action in Mind that brings
forth cures ... and healing.
We can read in the Book of Jeremiah, "I
have loved you with an ever-lasting Love" ... our affirmations
deepen our faith and reinforce our belief in a Power Greater than we
are. This is the Power and the Presence that we celebrate during
this Holiday Season ... but we must go further than ever before and
affirm this Power and Presence within us. There is much to be
gained in the celebrations this Holiday Season, but the most beneficial
is for us to "recognize" our One-ness with the "gifts of
Spirit" ... peace, love, joy, happiness, harmony, beauty,
intelligence. It takes very little time each day to affirm that
these qualities of Spirit are within us: "God-in-me is peace;
God-in-me is joy; God-in-me is love; God-in-me is intelligence."
In these gentle but powerful reminders that we impress on our
subconscious mind through affirmation ... a shift in consciousness
begins ... a shift towards a greater celebration of Life ... every day
... not just on special occasions.
Happy Holidays to
everyone ... let us freely give and freely receive ... knowing that it
is the nature of God-within to do so. Let's light the Hanukkah
candles ... decorate the tree in the spirit of Christmas, and plant the
seeds of love and harmony during Kwanzaa ... let's not limit the love
and joy we express this Season!
AND SO IT IS!
Keep
the faith!
Rev. Hank
Bates
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