My Christmas Gift To Me
This Christmas I've decided to do something totally different to the norm - I will be spending 10 days in silence and fasting in my home. No TV, no parties, no fancy gifts, no over-indulgence. Rather than being a sign of a Scrooge-like personality, to me this is a real gift to myself.
When I ask myself what I'd really like for Christmas, I hear a small still voice inside that says "Silence, Self-reflection and Rejuvenation".
Birth Of The Sun
It so happens that my 10-day "holiday" from the busy-ness of everyday life starts on Dec. 21st and, synchronistically, this marks the transition from the shortest day of the year to the beginning of the lengthening of daylight hours, known as the Winter Solstice.
Long before Christianity, this day was celebrated by ancient peoples as the return of the Sun, or the Male God reborn of the Goddess.
It is only thousands of years later that we have come to think of Christmas as the birth of Christ the Son of God born of the Virgin Mary. In fact, scholars believe it is unlikely that Christ was born on Dec. 25th; historical references indicate that it is more probable that his birth occurred in the spring when shepherds were able to "watch their flocks at night". It seems more likely that Christmas is the birthday of the Sun and not the birthday of the Son!
The Cycle Of Life-Death-Life
The roots of Christmas appear to go way back to a time when people lived close to the land and honoured the return of the sun after the darkest night of the year, a time when basic survival depended on a good harvest and healthy livestock. It was a time to be still and give thanks for the coming of spring, a time to remember the cycles of time and to offer praise to the deities of Light and Life such as the Persian God Mithra who is a symbol of rejuvenation and the Celtic 'Holly King' who represents the Waxing Year.
In fact, many of the ancient and pagan gods from cultures all around the world, such as Apollo, Dionysus, Oedipus and Horus, are associated with the theme of birth, death and resurrection and this seems to be symbolic of both the outer Life-Death-Life cycle we see in Nature as well as the inner transformation from the "dark night of the soul" to the "new awakening."
Perhaps it's no surprise that many of our modern Christmas traditions are based on pagan customs that have survived the centuries and then been overlaid with Christian mythology. Look at the tree decorated with lights to honour the sun and with fruits to give thanks for a bountiful harvest, the tinsel that encourages the melting of snow in colder climates, the evergreens such as holly and ivy which symbolize eternal life, and the lighting of candles to call forth the inner flame of hope amidst the darkness of winter … and you see the threads of traditions as old as time handed down through countless generations to end up as our glittery modern festivities.
Look at how Christmas is accepted world-wide as a time for gathering with family and you see the parallel with the need to commune with one's tribe or clan at a time when survival is an issue. Look at today's tradition of "kissing under the mistletoe" and you see how this is a watered-down version of pagan fertility celebrations at this time of year.
And look at the modern-day ritual of New Year's resolutions and you see the perpetuation of wisdom born of Nature's cycles that pulls us into introspection so that we plant new seeds - both literally and figuratively - for the year ahead.
So it seems that my holiday plans are attuned to the deeper meaning of Christmas and that this is the perfect time to "go inside" and give space for the shedding of what is no longer needed, so that the body is replenished, the emotions cleansed, the mind soothed and the spirit reborn to a higher perspective in readiness for the next cycle of 2009.
Personal Rituals
Here are some of the rituals I shall be doing to facilitate my journey and to embrace the spirit of Christmas:
• Light a candle on the night of Dec. 21st and sit in the darkness in silence for at least half an hour - do nothing, just "being", just allowing all thoughts and feelings to arise and to merge with the darkness.
• Review the past year and ask yourself what you have learnt, how you have grown, what mistakes you made, what successes you had, etc - write this down. Go through your list and give thanks for every single event and experience - even if it was challenging or painful - and then say (quietly or allowed): "Thank you and I let you go." When you feel complete, take this piece of paper and burn it safely.
• Sit quietly and make a list of all your goals for 2009 - what you wish to have, do and be. Review your list and pick out 3 goals that have the most resonance for you - now write these out as if they are already happening (i.e. in the present tense with your name e.g." I, Amoda, now am ….. "). Put this piece of paper with your goals/affirmations in a place where you can see them every day.
If you are celebrating Christmas with family or friends, you can spend some time focussing on what you are grateful to them for (maybe it is something they have done for you or given you, maybe it is simply for their beauty, joy, love, etc) - and then write a note/make a card (and make/buy a small gift) that expresses your gratitude.
It's certainly true for me that the more gratitude I express, the more love, beauty, joy and abundance I receive in my life! This Christmas I will be giving thanks for the divine spark of life that animates me, for the blessings I receive daily and for the love that is my true nature. May you too be blessed … always and in all ways!
Amoda Maa Jeevan is the author of a new book "How To Find God In Everything" (Watkins, 2008), see http://www.amodamaajeevan.com