For me, the Christmas story is not as much about Jesus as it is Mary. She reminds me to say 'yes' to the possibility (the truth) that I am bearing something Holy within me. That despite how I have been shamed for who I am , despite even the things I have believed about myself, I am nurturing Love in my belly, bringing forth Light into this world. To walk this earth with such a precious secret , such as feeling of belovedness in my womb, that the deep joy of that knowing overflows. This is the gift for me.
I love this Vicki! This is the first Christmas season I am resonating with Mary in a more manful way as well….especially her response to the Angel Gabriel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
Luke 1:38 NLT as well as the Magnificat “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”
Luke 1:46-47 NLT
I too recognize the possibility (the truth) I am bearing something Holy within me! Thank you for helping me articulate it so beautifully! ❤️
That is truly hilarious. Rhonda, you could title a blog post, "Mary Was the Man." 😂
Vicki, thank you for sharing this meditation on the Holiness Mary carried within her and what that might mean for all of us. I'm adding that to my meditation for the season!
The first response that resonates for me is that we are given a Free Will, and then God asks us to give it back (a sacrifice). I have found there is less pain in my life when I can get to and say "Yes" to that Still Small Voice, and I am in greater Communion with it's accompanying JOY- even in the painful times- when following God's Will.
Thank you for your post today! It is so timely and comforting for me. "He didn’t come to eliminate our pain but to participate in our pain." and "Joy found in being sorrowful together, rather than sorrow found in being joyful alone. Togetherness rather than painlessness." Those are the words I needed to remember this season. Thank you always for your insightful thoughts.
Karen, I'm glad this resonated with you. Those words read back to me make me think of a kid with a skinned knee. They aren't soothed when the knee quits hurting, but once they know someone is there with them in it. Blessings upon your holiday season, skinned knees and all!
When I was a kid, Christmas meant seeing the Rockettes, the beautiful Christmas tree lighting, all the Christmas movies that would only be on for that time of the year, melodic holiday songs,big families who all got together and made each other laugh and smile. But it also meant believing in miracles, being asked to have a little faith.
For me, it meant Hope. It still does. Hope for a better world, a kinder one. People are genuinely kinder and open their hearts much more during this time. Basking in the sunlight of the spirit is a beautiful byproduct of Christmas. I love the expansive look in seeing togetherness, peace, strength in holding each other’s hands, and amidst the anticipation, in the not knowing…will we be ok? Will we all be here? Just Knowing somehow, we will find out, Together.
Marilyn, we were just talking with some friends about how we can't think of many modern Christmas standards that originated after the '60s (the Mariah Carey song being the exception). But what you just shared reminded me of one of my favorites, which I haven't listened to in several years. Here's a link to the video. There's a lot of togetherness in it. 😊
I hope so, Teyani. I believe one of the major leaps in human consciousness will be learning how to hold our emotional pain rather than running from it.
As one formerly endeared to his Episcopal faith, I once struggled with knowing what to keep from Christianity. The obvious and best part is the story of the man. No matter what one believes, you're right, Kelly. It would make a tremendous Marvel movie. (It would also probably ruffle a few feathers for so many reasons.)
Our family Christmas tradition is very American, which means it retains many of the seasonal tropes. I'm talking about the post-harvest season of celebration and reflection. To this former acolyte, and to the extent that Jesus wanted a holiday or a religion built around him (doubtful), I think he would smile at all the love we share.
Kelly, you have once again reached into the heart of so much of what I ponder and believe. Did I tell you that I used to be a "branded" grief writer? I wrote about suffering as a pathway to love, via my Catholic-Christian lens. There's so much depth to that idea, and it's not an easy solution like some believe it is.
In fact, learning to surrender to whatever my life entails - both the ups and downs, sometimes both at the same time - has been an incredible challenge. My spiritual director tells me it's a discipline, too, to learn how to be instead of do. To overcome the urge to perform rather than to rest in mercy and love - and to extend that compassion to myself, too.
What reminds me of the TASC is another organization my spiritual director mentioned to me during our conversation this past Tuesday. It is called Braver Angels, based in Oregon, I think, and the people of this community cultivate civil discourse on specific hot-button topics where people are incredibly divided. She mentioned it to me, because I told her I feel this ache toward being a bridge, toward bringing people of all walks of life together and helping them find their way back to their commonalities.
Maybe that's the essence of the Christmas story as a metaphor.
Literally, though, I remembered one Christmas morning when my first daughter was about a year old. I woke up before anyone else in the house, and we were staying at my parents' for the holiday. Suddenly, I was overcome with emotion as the image of the Christ Child came to mind, because it was the first - and only - time I'd ever connected the tenderness of an infant with this miracle story. I related to the Christmas story as a mother, and therefore, Mary has always been an integral figure in my maternal growth, I would say.
"I feel this ache toward being a bridge, toward bringing people of all walks of life together and helping them find their way back to their commonalities."
Communities are made of people who ache in the same ways, I guess. 😊
The distinction between happiness and wholeness is P-R-O-F-O-U-N-D.
Normally, I'd share a quote that I loved. But, I loved the entire article. So I'll share that. HA.
It seems that our culture often equates happiness with success, but as you point out, true fulfillment comes from embracing all aspects of the human experience, including pain and sorrow. It's a great reminder that we don't have to strive for constant happiness, but rather focus on living a whole and meaningful life.
Oh, how I love and hate the title of your piece today. What I know is that without the Togetherness of people who loved me through loss, the pain would be greater than it is on the days it feels as if all the loss happened yesterday. As my counselor says it so well, "I hate that suffering is how we grow. We don't have to like it." The pain can be great. The Togetherness can be greater. When Jesus felt so far away, his people became his hands and feet. I am tearful tonight as I type this. Just today, Facebook informed me that K and I have been friends since 2008. Facebook doesn't know our friendship started 10 years prior to that as we left one church for another. I simply do not know how or where I would be without the "togetherness" of some very special people in my life. Just discovered you today and can't even remember quite how, but her you are. Thanks for this piece.
The last few lines are simply beautiful Dr Kelly! It reminded me of our teachers in Myanmar. One was sharing how the Junta had destroyed villages till many are homeless and displaced. This teacher's family was moving from one place to another to avoid being killed. Then finally they reach their last destination of refuge and her mother and sister looked at one another and laughed. By then they had nothing left, BUT each other. And they found such a profound experience of peace and security in God.
I can only pray that I would be able to live the truth of this post if faced with that kind of hardship. They are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing their story, Julia.
For me, the Christmas story is not as much about Jesus as it is Mary. She reminds me to say 'yes' to the possibility (the truth) that I am bearing something Holy within me. That despite how I have been shamed for who I am , despite even the things I have believed about myself, I am nurturing Love in my belly, bringing forth Light into this world. To walk this earth with such a precious secret , such as feeling of belovedness in my womb, that the deep joy of that knowing overflows. This is the gift for me.
I love this Vicki! This is the first Christmas season I am resonating with Mary in a more manful way as well….especially her response to the Angel Gabriel, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
Luke 1:38 NLT as well as the Magnificat “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”
Luke 1:46-47 NLT
I too recognize the possibility (the truth) I am bearing something Holy within me! Thank you for helping me articulate it so beautifully! ❤️
Ugh, of course I meant meaningful not manful! 🤣
🤣
That is truly hilarious. Rhonda, you could title a blog post, "Mary Was the Man." 😂
Vicki, thank you for sharing this meditation on the Holiness Mary carried within her and what that might mean for all of us. I'm adding that to my meditation for the season!
I'm sorry but how can aspiring to be a white wooly lamb be anything but sacrificial - following Jesus is Pain(ful) and Isolating - Why do we do this ?
The first response that resonates for me is that we are given a Free Will, and then God asks us to give it back (a sacrifice). I have found there is less pain in my life when I can get to and say "Yes" to that Still Small Voice, and I am in greater Communion with it's accompanying JOY- even in the painful times- when following God's Will.
Appreciate your heart and faith, Heather!
Because it is also beautiful. 😊
Thank you for your post today! It is so timely and comforting for me. "He didn’t come to eliminate our pain but to participate in our pain." and "Joy found in being sorrowful together, rather than sorrow found in being joyful alone. Togetherness rather than painlessness." Those are the words I needed to remember this season. Thank you always for your insightful thoughts.
Karen, I'm glad this resonated with you. Those words read back to me make me think of a kid with a skinned knee. They aren't soothed when the knee quits hurting, but once they know someone is there with them in it. Blessings upon your holiday season, skinned knees and all!
When I was a kid, Christmas meant seeing the Rockettes, the beautiful Christmas tree lighting, all the Christmas movies that would only be on for that time of the year, melodic holiday songs,big families who all got together and made each other laugh and smile. But it also meant believing in miracles, being asked to have a little faith.
For me, it meant Hope. It still does. Hope for a better world, a kinder one. People are genuinely kinder and open their hearts much more during this time. Basking in the sunlight of the spirit is a beautiful byproduct of Christmas. I love the expansive look in seeing togetherness, peace, strength in holding each other’s hands, and amidst the anticipation, in the not knowing…will we be ok? Will we all be here? Just Knowing somehow, we will find out, Together.
Marilyn, we were just talking with some friends about how we can't think of many modern Christmas standards that originated after the '60s (the Mariah Carey song being the exception). But what you just shared reminded me of one of my favorites, which I haven't listened to in several years. Here's a link to the video. There's a lot of togetherness in it. 😊
https://youtu.be/i-kHleNYIDc?si=eBWg0d8TC58jTD7T
Omg…YES. Goo Goo Dolls, Better Days. ☺️ Stunning video, gorgeous lyrics! 🙌🙌
Pain, suffering and walking through it seems to be central to our thoughts these days.
I hope so, Teyani. I believe one of the major leaps in human consciousness will be learning how to hold our emotional pain rather than running from it.
Yes. I agree. I wrote about this just now as well.
I look forward to reading it!
As one formerly endeared to his Episcopal faith, I once struggled with knowing what to keep from Christianity. The obvious and best part is the story of the man. No matter what one believes, you're right, Kelly. It would make a tremendous Marvel movie. (It would also probably ruffle a few feathers for so many reasons.)
Our family Christmas tradition is very American, which means it retains many of the seasonal tropes. I'm talking about the post-harvest season of celebration and reflection. To this former acolyte, and to the extent that Jesus wanted a holiday or a religion built around him (doubtful), I think he would smile at all the love we share.
I love that. Jesus: "You did WHAT? Oh, you do it like that? Good job becoming like children again once every 365."
Kelly, you have once again reached into the heart of so much of what I ponder and believe. Did I tell you that I used to be a "branded" grief writer? I wrote about suffering as a pathway to love, via my Catholic-Christian lens. There's so much depth to that idea, and it's not an easy solution like some believe it is.
In fact, learning to surrender to whatever my life entails - both the ups and downs, sometimes both at the same time - has been an incredible challenge. My spiritual director tells me it's a discipline, too, to learn how to be instead of do. To overcome the urge to perform rather than to rest in mercy and love - and to extend that compassion to myself, too.
What reminds me of the TASC is another organization my spiritual director mentioned to me during our conversation this past Tuesday. It is called Braver Angels, based in Oregon, I think, and the people of this community cultivate civil discourse on specific hot-button topics where people are incredibly divided. She mentioned it to me, because I told her I feel this ache toward being a bridge, toward bringing people of all walks of life together and helping them find their way back to their commonalities.
Maybe that's the essence of the Christmas story as a metaphor.
Literally, though, I remembered one Christmas morning when my first daughter was about a year old. I woke up before anyone else in the house, and we were staying at my parents' for the holiday. Suddenly, I was overcome with emotion as the image of the Christ Child came to mind, because it was the first - and only - time I'd ever connected the tenderness of an infant with this miracle story. I related to the Christmas story as a mother, and therefore, Mary has always been an integral figure in my maternal growth, I would say.
"I feel this ache toward being a bridge, toward bringing people of all walks of life together and helping them find their way back to their commonalities."
Communities are made of people who ache in the same ways, I guess. 😊
Going to look up Braver Angels.
The distinction between happiness and wholeness is P-R-O-F-O-U-N-D.
Normally, I'd share a quote that I loved. But, I loved the entire article. So I'll share that. HA.
It seems that our culture often equates happiness with success, but as you point out, true fulfillment comes from embracing all aspects of the human experience, including pain and sorrow. It's a great reminder that we don't have to strive for constant happiness, but rather focus on living a whole and meaningful life.
Oh, how I love and hate the title of your piece today. What I know is that without the Togetherness of people who loved me through loss, the pain would be greater than it is on the days it feels as if all the loss happened yesterday. As my counselor says it so well, "I hate that suffering is how we grow. We don't have to like it." The pain can be great. The Togetherness can be greater. When Jesus felt so far away, his people became his hands and feet. I am tearful tonight as I type this. Just today, Facebook informed me that K and I have been friends since 2008. Facebook doesn't know our friendship started 10 years prior to that as we left one church for another. I simply do not know how or where I would be without the "togetherness" of some very special people in my life. Just discovered you today and can't even remember quite how, but her you are. Thanks for this piece.
Carol, thank you for sharing your lived-in wisdom. I'm so glad you found us. Humaning is the kindest bunch of souls on the planet. Welcome!
The last few lines are simply beautiful Dr Kelly! It reminded me of our teachers in Myanmar. One was sharing how the Junta had destroyed villages till many are homeless and displaced. This teacher's family was moving from one place to another to avoid being killed. Then finally they reach their last destination of refuge and her mother and sister looked at one another and laughed. By then they had nothing left, BUT each other. And they found such a profound experience of peace and security in God.
I can only pray that I would be able to live the truth of this post if faced with that kind of hardship. They are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing their story, Julia.