The Christmas story is our story. It is a powerful rite of passage that allows us to make entrance into the larger universal story to know that we are part of a greater picture. In Unity, we teach that Jesus was the historical man born 2,000 years ago, our Way Shower, one who woke up and demonstrated his oneness. Christ was not the man but the consciousness he attained, aligned with the perfect pattern of wholeness inherent in all of creation. And we, too, have the potential to awaken this same Christ Consciousness in ourselves.
Glad tidings of the birth of the baby Jesus inspire the rebirth of the Christ Spirit within our minds and hearts. So, we can look at the birth story as a metaphor, interpreting it as we might interpret a dream, with everything in the story symbolizing an aspect of our own consciousness. What part of the story do you relate to? Perhaps the expectant mother with child soon to be born, or the father who strives to bring his family safely home, or perhaps the keeper of the inn, so busy that there is no more room for anyone or anything else?
Mary is that loving, pure nature within our hearts. To be a virgin means to be pure in spirit, open and receptive to the presence of God. Joseph represents our positive state of mind that guides us to the right place and brings us home. Angels represent messages from God, Divine inspiration and guidance directing us to our highest good. The inn is the outer world of the intellect, the busy place within our minds that hustles and bustles, and never stops to rest.
There is no room at the inn because the Christ Child cannot be born in the turmoil of the outer world. The manger is that place within, where the true birth occurs. Shepherds represent faith in God, that part of us that is humble and full of trust. The three wise men are higher wisdom and spiritual understanding, which comes when we see and follow the star. The star symbolizes spiritual illumination and guidance. It is the light of God ever ready to show us the way. And we will find the Christ, if we, like the wise men, will follow our inner guidance.
The three gifts each represent a different state of being. Gold is material wealth, the richness of spiritual awareness, a reminder that God is the source of all our good. Frankincense (incense used in prayer rituals) is the beauty of spiritual awareness, a reminder that we are to make everything we do a prayer. Myrrh (embalming ointment to bury the dead) is a reminder to bury that which we no longer need.
In summary, the three gifts we bring to the birth are:
1) a dedication of everything we have to God,
2) a willingness to give up and surrender the lesser aspects of life, and
3) a greater realization of spiritual consciousness.
We are all called to give birth to the Divine! Let us take time to reflect on the deeper story this Christmas.
Joyful Advent and Merry Christmas!
Blessings of Joy,
Rev. Kathy