Peace for the Soul2024-03-28T14:37:53Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillonhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2535700215?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/group/holidays/forum/topic/listForContributor?user=2uktta8k7czz2&feed=yes&xn_auth=notHE FLORIN STREET BAND CHRISTMAS SONGStag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2022-12-19:5143044:Topic:4321752022-12-19T12:37:31.252Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H10f2w7T5CU?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H10f2w7T5CU?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> A World of Joytag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2022-12-19:5143044:Topic:4322132022-12-19T01:41:53.510Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p>"A World of Joy" takes "Joy to the World" around the world, beginning with an African segment and first verse sung in Swahili and English; a second verse in Spanish style and sung in Spanish; and finally an energetic Celtic reel for the third and final verse.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="1920" height="1080" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jqXQDll0eic?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</p>
<p>"A World of Joy" takes "Joy to the World" around the world, beginning with an African segment and first verse sung in Swahili and English; a second verse in Spanish style and sung in Spanish; and finally an energetic Celtic reel for the third and final verse.</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="1920" height="1080" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jqXQDll0eic?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</p> Grylatag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2022-12-12:5143044:Topic:4309052022-12-12T09:33:06.831Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10908200698?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10908200698?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>In Icelandic folklore, Gryla is a giant troll with hooves for feet. Each Christmas, Gryla comes down from her mountain cave to hunt for naughty children, dragging them home in a sack so she can cook them for her Christmas stew. (She also ate a few husbands who bored…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10908200698?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10908200698?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>In Icelandic folklore, Gryla is a giant troll with hooves for feet. Each Christmas, Gryla comes down from her mountain cave to hunt for naughty children, dragging them home in a sack so she can cook them for her Christmas stew. (She also ate a few husbands who bored her.)</p> Merry Christmas!tag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2021-12-20:5143044:Topic:3798822021-12-20T20:28:40.612Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9929817454?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9929817454?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="560"></img></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>MERRY CHRISTMAS!</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>Christmas occurs this year at the full moon, a few days after the winter solstice and coinciding with many other festivals. This is a time when our hearts are lifted in celebration with joyous music, festivals and love.</p>
<p></p>
<p>May this holiday season be one that raises the…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9929817454?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9929817454?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="560" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>MERRY CHRISTMAS!</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>Christmas occurs this year at the full moon, a few days after the winter solstice and coinciding with many other festivals. This is a time when our hearts are lifted in celebration with joyous music, festivals and love.</p>
<p></p>
<p>May this holiday season be one that raises the vibration across the world for all humanity, its energy healing the hearts of those who are down trodden with woe. It is not hearts which are heavy with sympathy that help, but JOY that lifts the collective vibration. The LOVE that is shared at this season is infectious. It opens hearts, it opens purses, it opens borders, it HEALS.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The full moon marks a time when the energy coming from the sun is strongest, Just as the moon effects tides, it also effects the energy we receive from the sun and it effects us. This month it is Capricorn, the energy of initiation, providing a focus for us to survey all that we’ve done and set our intentions for what is next.</p>
<p></p>
<p>May the table be set for ALL this season. And, may ALL share in the JOY and LOVE that radiates from the many celebrations. Let us remember those in need, and let us SEND THEM OUR INTENT FOR THEIR HIGHEST GOOD, AND SEND THEM OUR JOY.</p>
<p></p>
<p>This Christmas, let us give the gift of JOY!</p>
<p></p>
<p></p> Christmas folk tale of a little orphan boy’s gift from the heart.tag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2020-12-12:5143044:Topic:3362482020-12-12T17:30:12.617Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8279806072?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8279806072?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="560"></img></a> <span class="font-size-1">"Up on the housetop." llustration by unknown artist, published in Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore 1896),</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-1">McLoughlin Bros.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Wooden Shoes of Little…</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8279806072?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8279806072?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="560" class="align-center"/></a><span class="font-size-1">"Up on the housetop." llustration by unknown artist, published in Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore 1896),</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-1">McLoughlin Bros.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Wooden Shoes of Little Wolff</span></p>
<p></p>
<p>Once upon a time, — so long ago that the world has forgotten the date, — in a city of the North of Europe, — the name of which is so hard to pronounce that no one remembers it, — there was a little boy, just seven years old, whose name was Wolff. He was an orphan and lived with his aunt, a hard-hearted, avaricious old woman, who never kissed him but once a year, on New Year’s Day; and who sighed with regret every time she gave him a bowlful of soup.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The poor little boy was so sweet-tempered that he loved the old woman in spite of her bad treatment, but he could not look without trembling at the wart, decorated with four gray hairs, which grew on the end of her nose.</p>
<p></p>
<p>As Wolff’s aunt was known to have a house of her own and a woolen stocking full of gold, she did not dare to send her nephew to the school for the poor. But she wrangled so that the schoolmaster of the rich boys’ school was forced to lower his price and admit little Wolff among his pupils. The bad schoolmaster was vexed to have a boy so meanly clad and who paid so little, and he punished little Wolff severely without cause, ridiculed him, and even incited against him his comrades, who were the sons of rich citizens. They made the orphan their drudge and mocked at him so much that the little boy was as miserable as the stones in the street, and hid himself away in corners to cry — when the Christmas season came.</p>
<p></p>
<p>On the Eve of the great Day the schoolmaster was to take all his pupils to the midnight mass, and then to conduct them home again to their parents’ houses.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Now as the winter was very severe, and a quantity of snow had fallen within the past few days, the boys came to the place of meeting warmly wrapped up, with fur-lined caps drawn down over their ears, padded jackets, gloves and knitted mittens, and good strong shoes with thick soles. Only little Wolff presented himself shivering in his thin everyday clothes, and wearing on his feet socks and wooden shoes.</p>
<p></p>
<p>His naughty comrades tried to annoy him in every possible way, but the orphan was so busy warming his hands by blowing on them, and was suffering so much from chilblains, that he paid no heed to the taunts of the others. Then the band of boys, marching two by two, started for the parish church.</p>
<p></p>
<p>It was comfortable inside the church, which was brilliant with lighted tapers. And the pupils, made lively by the gentle warmth, the sound of the organ, and the singing of the choir, began to chatter in low tones. They boasted of the midnight treats awaiting them at home. The son of the Mayor had seen, before leaving the house, a monstrous goose larded with truffles so that it looked like a black-spotted leopard. Another boy told of the fir tree waiting for him, on the branches of which hung oranges, sugar-plums, and punchinellos. Then they talked about what the Christ Child would bring them, or what he would leave in their shoes which they would certainly be careful to place before the fire when they went to bed. And the eyes of the little rogues, lively as a crowd of mice, sparkled with delight as they thought of the many gifts they would find on waking, — the pink bags of burnt almonds, the bonbons, lead soldiers standing in rows, menageries, and magnificent jumping-jacks, dressed in purple and gold.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Little Wolff, alas! knew well that his miserly old aunt would send him to bed without any supper; but as he had been good and industrious all the year, he trusted that the Christ Child would not forget him, so he meant that night to set his wooden shoes on the hearth.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The midnight mass was ended. The worshipers hurried away, anxious to enjoy the treats awaiting them in their homes. The band of pupils, two by two, following the schoolmaster, passed out of the church.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Now, under the porch, seated on a stone bench, in the shadow of an arched niche, was a child asleep, — a little child dressed in a white garment and with bare feet exposed to the cold. He was not a beggar, for his dress was clean and new, and — beside him upon the ground, tied in a cloth, were the tools of a carpenter’s apprentice.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Under the light of the stars, his face, with its closed eyes, shone with an expression of divine sweetness, and his soft, curling blond hair seemed to form an aureole of light about his forehead. But his tender feet, blue with the cold on this cruel night of December, were pitiful to see!</p>
<p></p>
<p>The pupils so warmly clad and shod, passed with indifference before the unknown child. Some, the sons of the greatest men in the city, cast looks of scorn on the barefooted one. But little Wolff, coming last out of the church, stopped deeply moved before the beautiful, sleeping child.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Alas!” said the orphan to himself, “how dreadful! This poor little one goes without stockings in weather so cold! And, what is worse, he has no shoe to leave beside him while he sleeps, so that the Christ Child may place something in it to comfort him in all his misery.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>And carried away by his tender heart, little Wolff drew off the wooden shoe from his right foot, placed it before the sleeping child; and as best as he was able, now hopping, now limping, and wetting his sock in the snow, he returned to his aunt.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“You good-for-nothing!” cried the old woman, full of rage as she saw that one of his shoes was gone. “What have you done with your shoe, little beggar?”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Little Wolff did not know how to lie, and, though shivering with terror as he saw the gray hairs on the end of her nose stand upright, he tried, stammering, to tell his adventure.</p>
<p></p>
<p>But the old miser burst into frightful laughter. “Ah! the sweet young master takes off his shoe for a beggar! Ah! master spoils a pair of shoes for a barefoot! This is something new, indeed! Ah! well, since things are so, I will place the shoe that is left in the fireplace, and to-night the Christ Child will put in a rod to whip you when you wake. And to-morrow you shall have nothing to eat but water and dry bread, and we shall see if the next time you will give away your shoe to the first vagabond that comes along.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>And saying this the wicked woman gave him a box on each ear, and made him climb to his wretched room in the loft. There the heartbroken little one lay down in the darkness, and, drenching his pillow with tears, fell asleep.</p>
<p></p>
<p>But in the morning, when the old woman, awakened by the cold and shaken by her cough, descended to the kitchen, oh! wonder of wonders!</p>
<p></p>
<p>She saw the great fireplace filled with bright toys, magnificent boxes of sugar-plums, riches of all sorts, and in front of all this treasure, the wooden shoe which her nephew had given to the vagabond, standing beside the other shoe which she herself had placed there the night before, intending to put in it a handful of switches.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And as little Wolff, who had come running at the cries of his aunt, stood in speechless delight before all the splendid Christmas gifts, there came great shouts of laughter from the street.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The old woman and the little boy went out to learn what it was all about, and saw the gossips gathered around the public fountain. What could have happened? Oh, a most amusing and extraordinary thing! The children of all the rich men of the city, whose parents wished to surprise them with the most beautiful gifts, had found nothing but switches in their shoes!</p>
<p></p>
<p>Then the old woman and little Wolff remembered with alarm all the riches that were in their own fireplace, but just then they saw the pastor of the parish church arriving with his face full of perplexity.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Above the bench near the church door, in the very spot where the night before a child, dressed in white, with bare feet exposed to the great cold, had rested his sleeping head, the pastor had seen a golden circle wrought into the old stones. Then all the people knew that the beautiful, sleeping child, beside whom had lain the carpenter’s tools, was the Christ Child himself, and that he had rewarded the faith and charity of little Wolff.</p>
<p><br/> François Coppée<br/> December 4, 2017</p>
<p></p> Ten ways to Celebrate Yuletag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2019-01-02:5143044:Topic:2630172019-01-02T18:47:50.256Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/629518680?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/629518680?profile=original"></img></a></p>
<p>Ten ways to Celebrate Yule</p>
<p>The Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year (this year it falls on 21st Dec). Many celebrations in the Northern Hemisphere focus on this sacred time in Nature, when the promise of light and life returns. Festivals of light can be found in many cultures. Here are ten ways to celebrate…</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/629518680?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/629518680?profile=original" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>Ten ways to Celebrate Yule</p>
<p>The Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year (this year it falls on 21st Dec). Many celebrations in the Northern Hemisphere focus on this sacred time in Nature, when the promise of light and life returns. Festivals of light can be found in many cultures. Here are ten ways to celebrate the Winter Solstice with your family.<br/> Lucy Corkhill</p>
<p>Our ancient ancestors celebrated Yule, and when Christianity was introduced the church opted for this time of year to celebrate Christmas, with many of the Yule traditions and practices absorbed into Christmas festivities. We can hear echoes of pagan songs in Christmas carols, and just like our ancestors we light candles and fires, decorate our homes with evergreen plants, feast, dance, and give gifts. Whatever your religious background, Winter Solstice offers a perfect opportunity to get together with family and reflect on the year that has gone and the year to come. If your family have different religious beliefs, Winter Solstice is a good chance to be together and celebrate a non-denominational festival, a time of gratitude for Nature’s cycles.</p>
<p>Solstice means ‘sun stand still’, and this is the time when the sun seems to halt in the sky. Christians celebrate the birth of Christ at this time of year, and Yule is connected to the joy at the birth of the Sun God, child of the Goddess. It is a celebration of rebirth. This is the turning point of the year, when the days gradually become longer and the darkness of winter is overcome. It is easy to understand why our ancestors held Solstice in such reverence. Their lives were governed by the sun, and the promise of its return would, of course, be sacred. Today, our relationship with the natural world has much less of an impact on our everyday lives; in fact, 21st century people can, and do, forget the world outside their window.</p>
<p>There are many ways you can bring the magic of Winter Solstice into your homes and hearts. Here are a few ways to make the most of the sacred energy with your family:</p>
<p>*1). Set out on a Solstice walk*</p>
<p>Take your family out into the natural world to gather greenery for your home. Take time selecting your Yule log, finding a dry piece of wood that has fallen. Spend some time (if it’s dry) sitting on the Earth, or place your hands on the Earth, connecting with the pulse of life. Bring home the gifts of Nature, selecting branches and berries that have naturally fallen, to fill your house with the evergreen magic of winter.</p> Christmas Candletag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2018-11-11:5143044:Topic:2609262018-11-11T23:45:08.606Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p>Christmas Candle<br></br> Christmas Candle Christians world over light candles at Christmas as a symbol of the birth of Christ, and his renewing light force that guides his followers along the righteous path that has been chosen by them. People widely follow the tradition of lighting candles in the windows and lighting candles on the Christmas tree. Christmas candles are manufactured only out of the best waxes, dyes, fragrances essential oils, and lead free wicks. Manufacturers with their…</p>
<p>Christmas Candle<br/> Christmas Candle Christians world over light candles at Christmas as a symbol of the birth of Christ, and his renewing light force that guides his followers along the righteous path that has been chosen by them. People widely follow the tradition of lighting candles in the windows and lighting candles on the Christmas tree. Christmas candles are manufactured only out of the best waxes, dyes, fragrances essential oils, and lead free wicks. Manufacturers with their expertise on candle making, produce high quality candles that are slow burning and virtually dripless.</p>
<p>In today's Christmas ceremonies, candles can be found everywhere from the carolers who walk around and sing to us to many of the beautiful greeting cards we send to our friends and loved ones. Candles are a part of almost every culture's Christmas. Smooth and texture surfaced candles are available in a variety of sizes and fragrances as well as unscented for the festive occasion of Christmas.</p> The Real Saint Nicholastag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2018-11-11:5143044:Topic:2606662018-11-11T23:44:45.445Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p>The Real Saint Nicholas</p>
<p>Real Saint NicholasSaint Nicholas was born in the Middle East about 350 miles northwest of Bethlehem in the fourth century. Saint Nicholas (270-310) was at one time bishop of Myra, a town in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He is supposed to have died on December 6 which is why his feast is celebrated on that date. Recognized for his great generosity, he is the patron saint of little children and school children. He is also known as the friend and protector of…</p>
<p>The Real Saint Nicholas</p>
<p>Real Saint NicholasSaint Nicholas was born in the Middle East about 350 miles northwest of Bethlehem in the fourth century. Saint Nicholas (270-310) was at one time bishop of Myra, a town in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He is supposed to have died on December 6 which is why his feast is celebrated on that date. Recognized for his great generosity, he is the patron saint of little children and school children. He is also known as the friend and protector of all those in trouble</p>
<p></p>
<p>Life History<br/> He is said to have been born to relatively affluent Christian parents in Patara , of the Roman Empire, where he also received his early schooling. He came to Myra to continue his studies. A paternal uncle of his introduced him to the local bishop. The later is said to have seen potential to the youth and took Nicholas under his patronage. Nicholas received his ordination as a priest at an early age. When his parents died Nicholas still received his inheritance but is said to have given it away in charity.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The Benefactor<br/> His reputation for gift giving comes partly from a story of three young women who were too poor to afford a dowry for their marriages: as each reached a marriageable age, Nicholas surreptitiously threw a bag of gold into the house at night. Some versions of the legend say that the girls' father, trying to discover their benefactor, kept watch on the third occasion, but Nicholas dropped the third bag down the chimney instead. When the father found out the truth, Nicholas begged him to keep the secret, but, of course, the news got out. After he died, people in the region continued to give to the poor anonymously, and such gifts were still often attributed to St. Nicholas.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The Patron Saint<br/> Among the Greeks and Italians he is a favorite of sailors, fishermen, ships and sailing. As such he has become over time the patron saint of several cities maintaining harbors. In centuries of Greek folklore, Nicholas was seen as "The Lord of the Sea". In modern Greece, he is still easily among the most recognizable saints and December 6 finds many cities celebrating their patron saint. In addition, he is celebrated as a great gift-giver in several Western European countries. The Russian Emperor Vladimir visited Constantinople and heard all the wonderful stories about Bishop Nicholas and decided to make him the patron saint of Russia. The stories even spread to the Laplands - to the people of the reindeer sleds.</p> How the Fir Tree Became the Christmas Treetag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2018-11-11:5143044:Topic:2608242018-11-11T23:33:59.616Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p>How the Fir Tree Became the Christmas Tree</p>
<p>This is the story of how the fir tree became the Christmas tree.</p>
<p>At the time when the Christ Child was born all the people, the animals, and the trees, and plants were very happy. The Child was born to bring peace and happiness to the whole world. People came daily to see the little One, and they always brought gifts with them.</p>
<p>There were three trees standing near the crypt which saw the people, and they wished that they, too,…</p>
<p>How the Fir Tree Became the Christmas Tree</p>
<p>This is the story of how the fir tree became the Christmas tree.</p>
<p>At the time when the Christ Child was born all the people, the animals, and the trees, and plants were very happy. The Child was born to bring peace and happiness to the whole world. People came daily to see the little One, and they always brought gifts with them.</p>
<p>There were three trees standing near the crypt which saw the people, and they wished that they, too, might give presents to the Christ Child.</p>
<p>The Palm said: "I will choose my most beautiful leaf, and place it as a fan over the Child."</p>
<p>"And I," said the Olive, "will sprinkle sweet-smelling oil upon His head."</p>
<p>"What can I give to the Child?" asked the Fir, who stood near.</p>
<p>"You!" cried the others. "You have nothing to offer Him. Your needles would prick Him, and your tears are sticky."</p>
<p>So the poor little Fir tree was very unhappy, and it said: "Yes, you are right. I have nothing to offer the Christ Child."</p>
<p>Now, quite near the trees stood the Christmas Angel, who had heard all that the trees had said. The Angel was sorry for the Fir tree who was so lowly and without envy of the other trees. So, when it was dark, and the stars came out, he begged a few of the little stars to come down and rest upon the branches of the Fir tree. They did as the Christmas Angel asked, and the Fir tree shone suddenly with a beautiful light.</p>
<p>And, at that very moment, the Christ Child opened His eyes—for He had been asleep—and as the lovely light fell upon Him He smiled.</p>
<p>Every year people keep the dear Christmas Child's birthday by giving gifts to each other, and every year, in remembrance of His first birthday, the Christmas Angel places in every house a fir tree, also. Covered with starry candles it shines for the children as the stars shone for the Christ Child. The Fir tree was rewarded for its meekness, for to no other tree is it given to shine upon so many happy faces.</p> A New Christmas Story by Neale Donald Walschtag:peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com,2014-12-28:5143044:Topic:2251772014-12-28T07:52:36.608Zdesmond dillonhttps://peaceformeandtheworld.ning.com/profile/desmonddillon
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311636028?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311636028?profile=original" width="590"></img></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Christmas has always been a magical time for me. From the earliest days of my childhood it has represented a kind of transcending joy that overtakes my whole body, and, indeed, my whole life.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And it wasn’t just because of the presents, either. Sure, getting gifts at Christmas made an impression on me as a child, there’s no question about it. But…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311636028?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="590" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311636028?profile=original"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Christmas has always been a magical time for me. From the earliest days of my childhood it has represented a kind of transcending joy that overtakes my whole body, and, indeed, my whole life.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And it wasn’t just because of the presents, either. Sure, getting gifts at Christmas made an impression on me as a child, there’s no question about it. But there was something else going on, too. Something was “in the air,” and I could feel it.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I remember thinking, as a small boy, how different people were at holiday time. They seemed more cheerful somehow. More understanding, more accepting — and more forgiving, too.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Once, in a department store somewhere deep into December, I broke something. I don’t even remember what it was, but I will always remember the clerk’s reaction.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Oh, that’s okay, sonny, don’t cry. It’s okay. No harm done. We’ll just get this right out of the way, and no one will worry about it. Merry Christmas, sweetheart. Merry Christmas!”</p>
<p></p>
<p>If that had been the 30th of August my parents would have been called and I would have been given “what for” about that. My Dad would have had to pay, and it would have been taken out of my allowance for a year.</p>
<p></p>
<p>So what is it that happens to us for three weeks in December that turns us into incredibly warm-hearted human beings? And what can we do to make it last past January 3rd?</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I wish it could be Christmas all year long!” I remember saying when I was seven. And, of course, it wasn’t the event that I wanted to see continue, it was the spirit.<br/> So, what could cause that spirit to continue?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Well, first, I think we’d have to change the basis of The Christmas Story itself. Now this is something that some people may not want to hear, but the Christmas Story in its strictly religious form will not heal the world. It has not and it will not, and that should by now be clear to any objective observer.</p>
<p></p>
<p>I know that this may come as blasphemy in the midst of the Christmas season, but I think it is something that humanity has to face.</p>
<p></p>
<p>No religion that claims to be the One True Religion, and no path that is proclaimed to be the Only Path, can lead the whole of humanity to an experience of itself AS a whole. And unless we can experience ourselves as a whole, as One, we will have missed the point of <em>all</em> religions.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The reason that Christmas has such a wonderful effect on so much of humanity in the Western world, at least, is not because it commemorates the birth of the one being said to be the Savior of all humankind, but because it gives birth again in our hearts to a thought, an idea, which we instantly recognize as the only thought that <em>can</em> save humankind: Peace on Earth, good will to all people everywhere.</p>
<p></p>
<p>It is the Christmas wish, it is the Christmas promise, that unites millions, not simply or only the secular Christmas Story as it has been told for hundreds of years.</p>
<p></p>
<p>And so, perhaps it is time to do the unthinkable, and bring true joy to the world. Perhaps it is time to create a new Christmas Story: the story of the birth of God’s son and daughter in the person of all of us. This can also be the story of the birth of the baby Jesus, born to Mary and Joseph in a manger under the star of Bethlehem, the angels of heaven rejoicing at his coming, the kings of the orient traveling from afar at the news of his birth, and Heaven proclaiming for all to hear. But here, the story departs from the one that separates humanity into Christians and non-Christians.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The New Story can tell us that the Son of God was indeed born this day, and is born every day, every time a newborn baby cries. The New Story can tell us that Jesus Christ brought to the earth a striking example and a grander awareness than ever before of the Divinity of Every Living Being, and that through his birth and death we can all be reborn. Yes, born again as the holy expression of Divinity that not just one of us was, but that we <em>all</em> are.</p>
<p></p>
<p>In memory of this wondrous Son we shall joyously sing and merrily proclaim that none of us can ever be apart from God, because all of us are a part OF God. We are <em>all</em> Sons and Daughters of God, and the life of the one whose birth we celebrate at Christmas shall be a testimony to that truth—as shall your own life, should you follow his example and live his message of love for all, forgiveness for all, compassion for all, peace for all—even for those who would call themselves his enemies.</p>
<p></p>
<p>All of us on this earth want the same thing. All of us want peace and joy, happiness and security, safety for those we love, harmony with those with whom we share our earth, fulfillment of our life’s goals and dreams, and a gentle, soft departure when our time here is over. That is all that all of us want.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Now we must ask ourselves: How is it that nearly seven billion highly evolved, intelligent, sentient beings can desire the same thing and <em>not be able to produce it</em>? Do you think it is possible that there may be something <em>we do not fully understand</em> about Life and God and each other—<em>the understanding of which would change everything?</em></p>
<p></p>
<p>The answer to that question can be the beginning of our New Christmas Story.</p>
<p></p>
<p>— Neale Donald Walsch</p>
<p></p>
<p>Written by <a href="http://vividlife.me/ultimate/author/neale/" target="_blank">Neale Donald Walsch</a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311648807?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="150" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2311648807?profile=original"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>