The (Real) Meaning of Christmas

 

Quaerite Et Invenietis  “Seek and you will find”

 

“There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed”

 

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store? What if Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!”

-Dr. Seuss,  ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’

 

“The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.”

-George Carlin

 

Merry Christmas to all on this most wonderful day of the year! This morning children everywhere will rise early in anticipation of opening their gifts, brought the night before by Santa Clause. Families will be together to share the joy and love of the Christmas Spirit. Christmas is celebrated in different ways all over the globe on or around December 25th.

Here in the U.S., families decorate the outside of their homes with festive lights and displays. Inside, stockings are hung over the fireplace to be filled with goodies and the Christmas tree is adorned with lights and decorations, and surrounded by gifts to be opened on Christmas morning. Later – the family, gathered together from far and wide – have a traditional turkey feast. But how did we come to celebrate Christmas the way we do?

We know that Christmas is an annual festival solemnizing the birth of Jesus Christ (or Jesus the Christ). It’s a religious and cultural celebration observed by billions around the world.

The gospels of Luke and Matthew state that Jesus was born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary. The pregnant Mary and her companion Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census, Jesus being born there. The Angels then heralded him as a Savior for the world.

Although no date is given in the Bible, early Christians connected Jesus to the Sun with such phrases as “Sun (not Son) of righteousness.” The Romans marked the Winter Solstice on December 25th, consequently, the first recorded Christmas celebration was held in Rome on that date in 336 A.D.

The word Christmas is a shortened form of “Christ’s Mass.” The word is recorded as Christesmaesse in 1038 and Cristes-messe in 1131. Christ is from the Greek Khristos, a translation of Hebrew Masiah or Messiah, meaning “anointed.”

The abbreviation ‘X-mas’ is based on the first letter Chi (x) in Greek Khristos. Christmas has been known by various names throughout history. Anglo-Saxons referred to the feast as “Mid-Winter”. In Old English Geola (Yule) referred to the period corresponding to December and January which eventually became Christian Christmas. Noel (or Nowel) entered English in the late 14th century from Old French Nael, ultimately from Latin Natalis, meaning ‘birth’.

Christmas is celebrated in many countries around the world including many non-Christian countries due to periods of colonial rule, for example; Hong Kong. Another reason would have been  because of a countries Christian minorities, Japan is one such country, where Christmas is popular despite a small number of Christians. Many of these countries have adopted Christmas traditions such as gift-giving and decorating Christmas trees.

So that is the History of Christmas, but what about the true meaning of Christmas. I know sometimes here in the U.S. we forget what it is really about. Almost everybody here celebrates; even the atheists. It has become  more of  a commercial holiday, with the television news reporting more on how much Americans spent on the holidays than on stories about the real meaning.

We all know the real meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of a great man whose life was dedicated to spreading a message of love and peace. We should remember that the tradition of gift-giving is about the act of giving,  not receiving.

I love this quote from American author Steve Maraboli:

“Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.”

Let’s try to remember what it is all about this holiday season. Try to spread joy and love to those you encounter, and remember, it’s about a man two thousand years ago who just wanted us to all get along. Peace. In the words of Dickens’ Tiny Tim – “God bless us, everyone!

Merry Christmas

Joyeux Noel

Frohe Weinachten

Feliz Navidad

Buon Natale

Feliz Natal

Vrolijk Kerstfeest

Craciun Fericit

Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narcdzenia

God Jul

Vesele Vanoce

Heri Ya Krismasi

Sheng Dan Kuai Le

Nollaig Shona Dhuit

Gozhgg Keshmish

*Please forgive any misspelling

 

May God bless and protect you and…

May you always be

Healthy, Happy

Safe and Comfortable

 

Kelly Curtis

 

 

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The (Real) Meaning of Christmas

 

Quaerite Et Invenietis  “Seek and you will find”

 

“There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed”

 

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store? What if Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more!”

-Dr. Seuss,  ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’

 

“The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.”

-George Carlin

 

Merry Christmas to all on this most wonderful day of the year! This morning children everywhere will rise early in anticipation of opening their gifts, brought the night before by Santa Clause. Families will be together to share the joy and love of the Christmas Spirit. Christmas is celebrated in different ways all over the globe on or around December 25th.

Here in the U.S., families decorate the outside of their homes with festive lights and displays. Inside, stockings are hung over the fireplace to be filled with goodies and the Christmas tree is adorned with lights and decorations, and surrounded by gifts to be opened on Christmas morning. Later – the family, gathered together from far and wide – have a traditional turkey feast. But how did we come to celebrate Christmas the way we do?

We know that Christmas is an annual festival solemnizing the birth of Jesus Christ (or Jesus the Christ). It’s a religious and cultural celebration observed by billions around the world.

The gospels of Luke and Matthew state that Jesus was born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary. The pregnant Mary and her companion Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census, Jesus being born there. The Angels then heralded him as a Savior for the world.

Although no date is given in the Bible, early Christians connected Jesus to the Sun with such phrases as “Sun (not Son) of righteousness.” The Romans marked the Winter Solstice on December 25th, consequently, the first recorded Christmas celebration was held in Rome on that date in 336 A.D.

The word Christmas is a shortened form of “Christ’s Mass.” The word is recorded as Christesmaesse in 1038 and Cristes-messe in 1131. Christ is from the Greek Khristos, a translation of Hebrew Masiah or Messiah, meaning “anointed.”

The abbreviation ‘X-mas’ is based on the first letter Chi (x) in Greek Khristos. Christmas has been known by various names throughout history. Anglo-Saxons referred to the feast as “Mid-Winter”. In Old English Geola (Yule) referred to the period corresponding to December and January which eventually became Christian Christmas. Noel (or Nowel) entered English in the late 14th century from Old French Nael, ultimately from Latin Natalis, meaning ‘birth’.

Christmas is celebrated in many countries around the world including many non-Christian countries due to periods of colonial rule, for example; Hong Kong. Another reason would have been  because of a countries Christian minorities, Japan is one such country, where Christmas is popular despite a small number of Christians. Many of these countries have adopted Christmas traditions such as gift-giving and decorating Christmas trees.

So that is the History of Christmas, but what about the true meaning of Christmas. I know sometimes here in the U.S. we forget what it is really about. Almost everybody here celebrates; even the atheists. It has become  more of  a commercial holiday, with the television news reporting more on how much Americans spent on the holidays than on stories about the real meaning.

We all know the real meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of a great man whose life was dedicated to spreading a message of love and peace. We should remember that the tradition of gift-giving is about the act of giving,  not receiving.

I love this quote from American author Steve Maraboli:

“Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.”

Let’s try to remember what it is all about this holiday season. Try to spread joy and love to those you encounter, and remember, it’s about a man two thousand years ago who just wanted us to all get along. Peace. In the words of Dickens’ Tiny Tim – “God bless us, everyone!

Merry Christmas

Joyeux Noel

Frohe Weinachten

Feliz Navidad

Buon Natale

Feliz Natal

Vrolijk Kerstfeest

Craciun Fericit

Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narcdzenia

God Jul

Vesele Vanoce

Heri Ya Krismasi

Sheng Dan Kuai Le

Nollaig Shona Dhuit

Gozhgg Keshmish

*Please forgive any misspelling

 

May God bless and protect you and…

May you always be

Healthy, Happy

Safe and Comfortable

 

Kelly Curtis

 

 

Giving Thanks

Quaerite Et Invenietis  “Seek and you will find”

 

Today we celebrate our holiday of Thanksgiving here in the United States. People travel from all corners of the country to be with family and loved ones. Our Thanksgiving dates back to 1621 when a group of English Pilgrims in present day Massachusetts (US) shared a feast with a tribe of Native Americans to celebrate a plentiful harvest. Many countries worldwide have harvest related festivals, Canada, India, China, Malaysia and Korea are but a few. American Thanksgiving takes place on the fourth Thursday of November. It is a day that we pause from our hectic and sometimes selfish lives to give thanks for our blessings and to feast on wonderful turkey dinners.

I always try to be grateful for the blessings in my life, I have many, but sometimes I fall short. I honestly try. Every night I remember to thank God/The Universe for my many blessings, both large and small, during my nightly shower. Because I enjoy my hot shower so much, I realize what a blessing it is. Sometimes though, life gets in the way of twenty-four hour a day gratitude. I’ll complain to myself about my job, how my boss is an ungrateful grump. But I’ve gotten better with my gratitude lately and I’ll tell you why:

I recently saw a news story on television about people in Madagascar working in mica mines. These poor beautiful people work fourteen hour days, seven days a week, for very little money. They do all this on one bowl of rice a day and live in hovels. They do this because they have to in order to survive (mica, by the way, is used in your cell phone. Think about that when you use it).

After seeing this story, I vowed to try much harder to appreciate what I have, especially my job. It really has made my job a lot easier, knowing that I’m only going to work about eight hours, just five days a week. Then I get to go to a lovely home and woman, who has a nutritious and delicious dinner waiting for me. Afterwards I have a very comfortable bed to sleep in. All that being said, I’d like to make a list of the things I’m grateful for:

I’m grateful for my wonderful girlfriend and companion Erin, and the beautiful home she’s made and keeps for us.

I’m grateful for our wonderful, crazy dog Annie, and our cats Kayak, Keno and Milo (who lived in a woodpile until he adopted us).

I’m grateful for the food we always have.

For the clean water I can get any time I wish.

I’m grateful for our home, a warm and comfortable shelter (right now it’s raining outside and I’m warm and dry).

I’m grateful for my warm and comfortable bed.

I’m glad I live in a safe place in the world (so many don’t).

I’m grateful for my job and the income it brings in.

I’m grateful to my boss for the challenge of learning to love and accept people I wouldn’t normally want to be around.

My health is an enormous blessing.

I’m grateful for our car (it sure is easy to get to work).

For having the fitness to ride my bicycle to work when I do.

For friends and family.

I’m grateful to you for being interested in my blog, and having very interesting blogs yourself.

I know that I have it so much better than most on this beautiful planet (God bless those people).

Thank you God/Universe for all of my blessings both large and small.

Happy Thanksgiving or Harvest Festival to all!

 

May God bless and protect you and…

May you always be

Healthy, Happy

Safe and Comfortable

 

Kelly Curtis

 

Rosicrucian Reflections #14

 

 

“How should a mystic conduct oneself in everyday life? This question is both simple and complex. Being a mystic is to be aware of and shoulder one’s responsibilities in one’s family life, working life, and spiritual life. A thinking, active, responsible mystic does not feed on what is negative and unhealthy. A mystic does not make hasty judgements, and does not condemn without having tried to understand the why and the how of things and events. The mystics attitude is an open one, respecting everyone’s right to be different and to exercise freedom of expression. A mystic is able to give assistance, bring calm, and speak in a compassionate manner to whoever is in need. A mystic accepts philosophically – without becoming disenchanted – the tests that are experienced during one’s life: for a mystic is not exempt from lessons, we just find it a little bit easier to learn them.”

-Rosicrucian Manuscript

 

 

Quaerite Et Invenietis “Seek and you will find”

 

“There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed”

 

May God bless and protect you and…

May you always be

Healthy, Happy

Safe and Comfortable

 

Seth Kelly Curtis

 

 

Words To Live By #10 ‘Dare To Be’

 

Quaerite Et Invenietis  “Seek and you will find”

 

“There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed”

 

‘Dare To Be’ by American author Steve Maraboli teaches us that we don’t have to be at the mercy of our circumstances if we just have the audacity to dare.

 

“When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.

When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.

When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.

When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.

When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.

When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.

When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.

When times are tough, dare to be tougher.

When love hurts you, dare to love again.

When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.

When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.

When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.

When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.

When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great, too.

When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.

Dare to be the best you can –

At all times, Dare to be!”

 

May God bless and protect you and…

May you always be

Healthy, Happy

Safe and Comfortable

Seth Kelly Curtis

Words To Live By #7 ‘If’ For Girls

 

Quaerite Et Invenietis  “Seek and you will find”

 

“Your vibe attracts your tribe”

 

I posted the poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling on October 15, 2019. I think it is a wonderful poem. Written for his son in 1895, it offers great advice that can be used by anyone.

I came across ‘If For Girls’, a complimentary poem for Kipling’s ‘If’, by American writer J. P. McEvoy. This is a wonderful addition to this series of blogs, especially in todays world where women are becoming more empowered than ever; and it’s about time! Women and men can use this advice, so let’s celebrate the Divine Feminine.

Dedicated to my mother Sylvia Patricia, and my love, Erin.

 

“If you can hear the whispering about you

And never yield to deal in whispers, too;

If you can bravely smile when loved ones doubt you

And never doubt, in turn, what loved ones do;

If you can keep a sweet and gentle spirit

In spite of fame or fortune, rank or place,

And though you win your goal or only near it,

Can win with poise or lose with equal grace;

 

If you can meet with Unbelief, believing,

And hallow in your heart, a simple creed,

If you can meet Deception, undeceiving,

And learn to look to God for all you need;

If you can be what girls should be to mothers:

Chums in joy and comrades in distress,

And be unto others as you’d have the others

Be unto you — no more, and yet no less;

 

If you can keep within your heart the power

To say that firm, unconquerable “No,”

If you can brave a present shadowed hour

Rather than to build a future woe;

If you can love, yet not let loving master,

But keep yourself within you own self’s clasp,

And not let dreaming lead you to disaster

Nor Pity’s fascination loose you grasp;

 

If you can lock your heart on confidences

Nor ever needlessly in turn confide;

If you can put behind you all pretenses

Of mock humility or foolish pride;

If you can keep the simple, homely virtue

Of walking right with God — then have no fear

That anything in all the world can hurt you —

And — which is more — you’ll be a Woman dear.”

 

May God bless and protect you and…

May you always be

Healthy, Happy

Safe and Comfortable

 

Kelly Curtis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sevenfold Path Of Peace

Quaerite Et Invenietis “Seek and you will find.”

 

The Essenes were a Jewish sect that flourished from the second century B.C. to the first century A.D. They recognized the spiritual nature of the physical universe and considered that Human life can be divided into seven departments, these being: physical, mental, emotional, social, cultural, its relationship with nature and its relationship with the entire cosmos. The Sevenfold Path of Peace is based on the ancient teachings of the Essenes and explains the utilization of these powers and forces.

Here are the seven aspects of contemplation for the Sevenfold Path of Peace:

Peace with the body

We recognize the body as our sacred vehicle, created by spiritual laws of the universe and that in the body are manifested all the laws of life. The Essenes learned the healthful foods, herbs, breathing techniques, etc. that were needed to have a physical body filled with vitality. This contemplation nurtures the power of love and acceptance for our physical expression. It is through our spiritual relationship with our bodies that the ability to heal is mastered.

Peace with the Mind

This contemplation, in regards to the Sevenfold Path of Peace, is thought of as a higher force – far more powerful than either feeling or action, because it is the creator of both. It is important to understand the power of the mind as a tool of manifestation. It is what empowers us to be co-creators with Spirit. It is through the use of the mind that we direct the flow of energy through the choices we make about our thoughts.

Peace with Emotions/Family

As a reflection of our love towards one another, this contemplation governs our relationships with those who are in our close environment and our spiritual families. Through this contemplation, we realize how our families are mirrors in learning more about our feeling physical bodies and ourselves. The Essenes knew that the feeling body is a most influential instrument for the creation of physical vitality, emotional freedom and spiritual happiness.

Peace with Community

A powerful step in the sevenfold path, this contemplation refers to harmony between groups of people. The Essenes teach that each of us journeys an exceptional path in helping human evolution, and it is only when we follow our own unique gifts that joy and peace will occur on the planet.

Peace with Wisdom of the Ancients/Culture

In this contemplation, we make use of the gifts of the masters of wisdom from the past. The Essenes believed there were three pathways to discovering truth. The path of intuition followed by mystics and prophets; the path of nature – the way of the scientist; and the path of culture – exposure to the great masterpieces of literature and the arts.

This contemplation opens the door to our spiritual ancestors and their spiritual truths. Essenes considered it the responsibility of all to learn from cultural wisdom passed down through the ages and pass teachings down to the next generation as a way of contributing to the evolution of humankind.

Peace with Earth Ecology/Environment

This contemplation nurtures how we live in harmony with the Earth and the physical field of existence. It is the knowledge and understanding that our health and wealth is dependent on how we cooperate with the physical planet. As we expand a loving relationship with the Earth, the planet nurtures our own spiritual beings.

Peace with Spirit/Devine/God

It is with this step of the Sevenfold Path of Peace that we experience one power and one presence in our lives and in the Universe. A doorway opens in our consciousness that accesses powerful, loving guidance and support from spiritual energies.

 

The Sevenfold Path of Peace is a way of evaluating ourselves and the way we present ourselves in our world. with every thought, feeling and action we are creating and contributing. The question is are we contributing to greater peace? Am I building up and growing as a spiritual being having a physical reality?

The Sevenfold Path of Peace offers us an opportunity to become aware, awake and conscious. To live in peace is to actively participate in creating Heaven on Earth.

-from ‘The Living Center’

 

May God bless and protect you and…

May you always be

Healthy, Happy

Safe and Comfortable

 

Kelly Curtis

 

 

My Contribution to Peace

Quaerite Et Invenietis  “Seek and you will find”

I contribute to Peace when I strive to express the best of myself in my contacts with others.

I contribute to Peace when I use my intelligence and my abilities to serve the Good.

I contribute to Peace when I feel compassion toward all those who suffer.

I contribute to Peace when I rejoice over the happiness of others and pray for their well -being.

I contribute to Peace when I listen with tolerance to opinions that differ from mine or even oppose them.

I contribute to Peace when I resort to dialog rather than to force to settle any conflict.

I contribute to Peace when I respect Nature and preserve it for generations to come.

I contribute to Peace when I do not seek to impose my conception of God upon others.

I contribute to Peace when I make Peace the foundation of my ideals and philosophy.

I contribute to Peace when I look upon all as my Brothers and Sisters, regardless of race, culture, or religion.

-Rosicrucian Manuscript

May God bless and protect you and…

May you always be

Healthy, Happy

Safe and Comfortable

Kelly Curtis

Words to Live by #6 Take Time

 

Quaerite Et Invenietis  “Seek and you will find”

 

“When your world moves too fast and you lose yourself in the chaos, introduce yourself to each color of the sunset. Reacquaint yourself with the earth beneath your feet. Thank the air that surrounds you with every breath you take. Find yourself in the appreciation of life.”

 

The author of this poem is unknown, but I love the message it sends. Take time to smell the roses! Take time to be grateful!

 

“Take time to work

it is the price of success.

 

Take time to think

it is the source of power.

 

Take time to play

it is the secret of perpetual youth.

 

Take time to read

it is the fountain of wisdom.

 

Take time to be friendly

it is the road to happiness.

 

Take time to dream

it is your highway to the stars.

 

Take time to give

it is too short a day to be selfish.

 

Take time to laugh

it is the music of the heart.

 

Take time to love and be loved

it is nourishment for the soul.”

 

May God bless and protect you and…

May you always be

Healthy, Happy

Safe and Comfortable

 

Kelly Curtis

 

Words To Live By #3

The poem “Our Deepest Fear” by American author, activist and spiritual leader Marianne Williamson is often mistaken as part of Nelson Mandela’s inaugural speech, although it does not appear in the speech at all.

This poem shows how powerful we truly are. Read this poem slowly and let its truth sink in.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness

That most frightens us.

 

We ask ourselves

Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

 

Your playing small

Does not serve the world.

There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking

So that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

 

We are all meant to shine,

As children do.

We were born to make manifest

The glory of God that is within us.

 

It’s not just in some of us;

It’s in everyone.

 

And as we let our own light shine,

We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we’re liberated from our own fear,

Our presence automatically liberates others.”

 

May God bless and protect you and…

May you always be

Healthy, Happy

Safe and Comfortable

Kelly Curtis