Theme: Christmas

Spiritual Christmas

Mr. Haroldo was having a good time at the weekend reading, as he liked to do when his son Jose entered in the room enthusiastically.

- Dad, look how cool it is! Daniel's family is going to spend Christmas on the beach and he invited me to come along!

- That's great, son! Daniel seems to be your true friend for making that invitation.

- I'm glad you agree, Father! It's going to be awesome!

- Wait a moment. Agree about having a good friend is not the same as agree to spend Christmas with his family rather than ours.

The boy sensing the direction of the conversation gets angry:

- I can’t believe I can’t go to the beach with Daniel just because it's Christmas. That's not fair!

The father untouched by the boy's reaction pondered:

- Son, Christmas is not a regular holiday. It has important spiritual meaning. You know very well what we do and what is celebrated on that date.

But the boy without resigning himself replied:

- It is the birth of Jesus but no one knows for sure what day he was born. Besides, I don’t even know if Santa exists. Some people say he doesn’t! It would be difficult for anyone to visit all the houses in the world, even carrying gifts in one night. Christmas is something people have invented for stores to sell more, that’s it. People like Christmas because they get presents. And the gift I want this year is to go to the beach!

Still calm, Mr. Haroldo explained:

- Jose, my son, how many times did your birthday fall on a weekday and we had the party over the weekend, that is, a few days before or after the true date? If Jesus' birthday was not exactly on December 25th, that's all right, it is at least the day of the celebration of His birth which was the most important event that ever happened to mankind.

The son could not disagree and just kept hearing.

- You know son, our condition here on Earth is still that of little evolved spirits. Most people only perceive material things not spiritual things. They know that the coming of Jesus among us must be celebrated but they do so by dealing more with material things which they know best.

Jose listened carefully to his father and he continued:

- Many times Christmas happens without people even remembering Jesus. The most interesting for them are the foods, drinks and gifts that will win. The houses are decorated with typical ornaments and colored lights. The expected visit is Santa Claus, who is a good person, who lives in the North Pole and who has many helping elves, who help him to prepare the presents to be taken to every home on Christmas Eve.

Mr. Harold continued:

- People who already have the most awakened spirituality also usually send Christmas cards or messages to each other wishing good wishes. Some donate or act on behalf of others. The feeling of love, charity and solidarity comes out in them and this is called the "Christmas spirit".

- I know that Father - said the boy.

- Yes, son, but let's think about spiritual Christmas then, insisted Mr. Harold. Jesus, the ruler of the Earth, brother, friend and teacher is always looking for us. On this date, people who attune themselves to Him and His message can feel more his love influence and have their hearts touched by this "Christmas spirit" to experience some of the virtues He taught us.

Mr. Harold continued explaining:

- These people adorn their homes but they embellish their hearts as well. They turn on the flashing lights but they also light up inside, purifying their thoughts, feelings and actions. The visit they expect is the visit of Master Jesus. And He does have the gift of visiting all the homes in one night. It is the gift of ubiquity. He has helpers who are less than Him in spiritual evolution but work in His name taking good everywhere. He has many gifts to give us in the form of blessings of help, love, peace and happiness.

Jose, who was paying attention, was able to understand what Mr. Harold explained. He thought for a moment and asked:

- Dad, that's why, every year, we help to put together the Christmas baskets at the Spirit Center and then we go delivering in that poor neighborhood?

- Yes son! That's why we gather the family, bring Grandmother, invite your aunt and her cousins, read the gospel and pray for Christmas. We seek to experience spiritual Christmas which is much more than eating and earning a gift.

- I know, I understood...  - said Jose, resignedly.

The two of them stood up and hugged each other affectionately. The "spirit of Christmas" was already beginning for them...

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com