12/04/2025
💖🙏✨ Still relevant from 2004. With Christmas and Hanukkah approaching, society's commercialization of Jesus's birth causes overwhelming stress: financial strain, the pressure to find the perfect gift, crowded stores, and the draining energy of wrapping.
Beyond commerce, we face the stress of anticipating challenging family dynamics, for some depression of loneliness, and the acute pain of grief for loved ones—whether they are in Spirit, away in the military, or missed after a breakup.
✨ Can we reclaim this sacred holiday by shifting our focus from material gift expectations to celebrating spiritual, emotional, and physical giving? Consider suggesting a Chinese Auction instead of individual gifts; it's a fun, lighthearted way to share material items, reduce stress, and create more time for genuine togetherness.
✨As givers, let us ask what spiritual, emotional, or physical gifts Jesus might suggest.
For children, this could mean spending quality time, listening attentively to their spoken words and, even more importantly, their unspoken feelings. It might involve writing a letter to them, leading by example to show that vulnerability is a positive trait.
For adult family members, consider a beautifully wrapped letter of gratitude, forgiveness, understanding, or sharing things they have taught us by example.
May we also challenge ourselves to become more in tune with everyone, from the waitress and cab driver to the homeless person, to make them feel loved, special, and appreciated.
If you are someone Jesus might suggest helping others more, consider giving ‘wrapped-up certificates of service’. We can also offer ‘notes of acknowledgment’ to a friend, colleague, or teacher, recognizing their positive attributes, specific challenges they’ve overcome, and how we see them growing and evolving.
✨ Instead of focusing on Santa Claus and material gifts, let us focus on giving the gift of ourselves to one another.
✨ Wouldn’t it be a 'loving and sacred birthday gift to Jesus' if we, as a society, decided to let Santa, the elves, and all the reindeer finally retire?
✨ It would be an even greater gift to Jesus if we gave to one another all the gifts of his teachings, not just on his birthday but every day.
✨ Let us choose to celebrate the divine gifts Jesus has shared with us and reflect on the life of love, truth, and light he embodied.
✨ I invite you to join me in wishing Jesus a Happy Birthday today and on Christmas, and sending many blessings for Spiritual, Emotional, and Physical Giving to all souls this holiday season.
I am holding a vision of this Divine evolutionary shift, a joyful holiday season, and a very Happy New Year for everyone! 🙏🤍✌💞☝
~ SSJ 2004