December 15, 2020
Dear Friends,
At this time of year I like to prepare myself in prayer and meditation for the wonder of Christmas and all it means. Every symbol has meaning and significance, and springs forth from an idea that came before.
Many churches celebrate this Advent Season .
“Advent is a time of expectation and hope. “Advent” means “arrival” or “coming,” and it prompts us to pause each day in December and remember why Jesus came at Christmas. Advent today is a time of anticipation and expectation of the birth of Christ. Advent lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas. The Advent wreath is created out of evergreens, symbolizing everlasting life in the midst of winter. The Advent wreath is a symbol of the season, with a candle lit each of the four Sundays leading up to, and on Christmas Day.
The candles represent Hope, Faith, Joy and Peace. The middle candle represents Light and Purity and is called the Christ Candle lit on Christmas Day.”
The light of the flickering candle flames reminds us who Jesus is: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5).”
https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/advent-wreath-candles-understanding-the-meaning-history-tradition.html
Remember to always let your LIGHT Shine as a sincere heart, kind word, and a supportive action.
Christmas Tree and Garland
Other Christmas symbols are the Tree, and the Garland. Gathering Garlands is an ancient Druid influence. The freshness reminds us of life everlasting. The Christmas Tree represents the Tree of Life (also Jewish symbology) and honors the Christ presence in the home.
Martin Luther originated the first domestic Christmas Tree.
The Sacred Heart of Christmas by Flower Newhouse.
Christmas Carols
Christmas Carols are enjoyed by all. There was a time when people actually went door to door singing the favorite songs of the season. I did with my dad when I was little. It was a joyous event even in the cold wintry Chicago air. Sound and Song are considered in many religions the true way of communication with the Divine (Hindu, Sikh, Ekankar). “Christmas Carols possess latent power for unifying men and women with the higher orders of Life,” the Holy Ones, the Angels.
The Sacred Heart of Christmas by Flower Newhouse.
Three Kings and the Star
“The three Kings represent the souls who have risen above their lower natures and found what is truly important. The empty wilderness resembles the uncharted times in one’s life when familiar ways no longer exist. One must strike out towards the star and ideal.”
The Sacred Heart of Christmas by Flower Newhouse.
We all have times in our lives when what was working, no longer works, nor serves us. Time to open to a new way of living, moving and having our being. Let us follow the star (intuitive guidance) of our heart.
For the next two weeks, allow yourself time to remember the reason for the season.
LOVE, JOY, PEACE, KINDNESS, all the that Jesus the Christ represented. Ask yourself, what does this Holy Day and Season mean to me?
According to Flower Newhouse, a Mystic, and Minister, “Emmanuel” was the name the heavens knew Jesus by. It was his Holy name. Jesus was his earthly name.
Let us all tune into our Holy name and be that which we aspire to be now and always.
With Love,
Abigail and Steve.