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"... if I
had to choose one sound in the world that I love above all others, it is
first, the laughter of a child, that comes first, followed very closely
by the laughter of almost anyone else ... that's my favorite sound in
the world."
- Rev. Paul Gonyea, The Atlanta Church of Religious Science
The
news is filled with articles about Bill O'Reilly, and the Religious
Right demanding that Christmas be commercialized this year.
Bloomingdale's, Macy's and Lowe's have succumbed to boycott threats from
the A. F. A. (covert religious organization called the American Family
Association), to call their holiday trees, Christmas trees and to have
their employees refrain from using the inclusive, "Happy
Holidays" greeting rather than "Merry Christmas."
It's almost enough to make you dizzy ... in prior years, retailers were
chastised for "commercializing" Christmas ... now their
critics are "politicizing" Christmas. It seems like the
Christians always have to have a "devil" ... now the devil
looks like a Bloomingdale's clerk who innocently utters, "Happy
Holidays!" Target ... on the other hand ... ignores them ...
and just does what they do best ... selling merchandise to a diverse
customer ... but I promised myself this would be a "light"
message ... so for more info on the beginning of Christmas
celebrations in the U. S. go to: www.radicalrevbates.org
Anyway, let's not let politics diminish the joy of the holiday.
And the greatest joy, is in giving. The nature of God is
giving-ness, so when we give, we are expressing our Divine nature ...
and that is what makes this season so jolly in comparison to other
holidays throughout the year. Whether you are giving Christmas
gifts, Hanukkah gifts or Kwanzaa gifts ... in so doing, you are
expressing a greater measure of the Love of God within you.
As we give ... we
receive ... sometimes more than we expect. This past week I sent a
donation to the Atlanta Church of Religious Science in gratitude for
receiving their monthly newsletter. Rev. Paul Gonyea always writes
a wonderful short article in each newsletter ... and since I have never
heard him speak, I decided to also request a CD of one of his most
recent Sunday talks ... not only did he send me one ... he sent me two!
Now, I was impressed ... and the title on the extra CD was, "Just
Keep Smiling" ... and even though I enjoyed his message ... I
really enjoyed the title ... "Just Keep Smiling" ... what a
wonderful consciousness! No matter what is going on ... just keep
smiling ... because whatever it is that is going on ... it will change
... everything does. And smiling brings us more in alignment with
God ... the Good.
To me, Christmas is not so
much about Jesus ... since it really is not "His birthday"
according to historians, and most of what is celebrated is "made-up
stuff" that has been handed down by traditions ... it is about the
"Holiday Spirit" ... the spirit of giving and receiving,
getting together with family and friends and what a nice way to endure
some of the coldest days of the year in parts of the world. Most
of the music surrounding the Holidays is very up-lifting and affirming
of the joys in life ... and to me, anything that lifts our spirits to a
greater sense of love and joy, is a Good thing! Very few of us do
not enjoy the holidays ... and most of us enjoy them very much ...
Santa, Reindeer, Elves, snow, decorated trees, and wonderful treats.
And this is really what the Holidays are all about.
Both giving
and receiving are equally Good as are feeling grateful and deserving.
This is the time of year to feel Good ... so feel the Good ... for
Goodness sake!
And
So It Is!
Letting
Love Use Me In Its Own Good Way,
Rev.
Bates
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