This Christmas, as in many Christmases in recent years,
I am away from New York where I call home.
Away from my family in Chicago,
which was once home…
and for a city of such flash, one is actually hard-pressed to find cheer anywhere other than a mall and I over-delight in every palm tree swaddled + suffocated with strings of lights. Hello from Hollywood.
This Christmas, I have to redefine what home looks like.
What if we can redefine what Christmas means for each of us? No matter our belief system, any day of spirit in any tradition gives an opportunity to connect. Many say the second coming of Christ is not that a bearded guy is going to drop from the clouds, but it will be a rebirth of the Christ consciousness within each of us. Assuming many of us don’t tow the ‘Jesus is my savior’ line, I’ll offer the metaphor to switch out ‘Christ’ for ‘Love.’
If you celebrate, of course there’s the ‘happy birthday to Jesus’ plans your family may carry out this weekend, in its own tradition.
But to those spiritual seekers among us, let me turn your attention to this holiday as an invitation to celebrate the birth of a new love consciousness with yourself. Not to sound too pretentious or grand; it can start with something simple + warm + sparkly. It can be the merest twinge or tingle in your chest. Because aside from presents and caroling, and discounted liter bottles of Belvedere from Bevmo (praise Jesus for Bevmo,) this season is a celebration of hearth, home and love.
Home is in my heart. Home is in the capital “L” highest, most divine, most pure and untarnished and mega L O V E I carry within, that I can give, that I remember to give even when I find resistance. That I remember to give especially when I find resistance. And that I give with crazy abandon, not looking over my shoulder to see if it is boomeranging back to me. Love is not an exchange. It is a gift.
And to not give love implies that there is not enough to go around. And there is always more to go around.
It is infinite. True, sweeping, pulverizing and mesermizing ‘om’ love is ALL THAT IS. Boundless. Non-judgmental. Non-denominational. Free.
Don’t hold it to yourself, let it go. Let it go like it’s the last love you have to give. This act of giving and letting go, only widens the reserve that we carry within. You think you’re giving it to others, but really you’re gifting yourself. This is the Christmas miracle.
Happy birthday to you, to the LOVE in your heart. In your soul, babes. If you’ve forgotten how infinite it is, let this be a reminder, it’s all love. Whether it’s over Chinese food or egg nog, with a sled or a menorah or none of the above, over bickering and under the tree, remember the Love.
Infinite Love to you and yours. May every gracious act reflect + connect you to your Self within, wherever you are.
