Merry Christmas to one and all.

As a Spiritualist I am often asked whether we celebrate Christmas.

The really short answer is “of course we do“!   But for a very different reason to Christians.

Let me explain quickly;

As a Spiritualist I have an open mind on Jesus. He was a gifted teacher and performed many great feats (some still call them miracles). But I can not accept he was the Son of God because his story is only one of many, many other “Messiahs” who came to earth via virgin birth, performed miracles and died on a cross or through some other hideous form of torture to absolve us of all our sins.  (suggested reading “Rock of Truth”)

The timing of his birth (as we are lead to believe) also coincides with the old pagan celebrations of the winter solstice. It is not news that Christanity adapted many celebrations and rituals from paganism but this is still a sore point with many Christians.  The winter solstice is the time of the year where the daylight hours have been at their shortest in the northern hemisphere and now the days start to get longer; the spring is coming, warmth and abundance will return… if we pray hard enough and win favour with God(s).

Move forward several thousand years to modern times.

This is a rather unique time of year where there is more focus on the altruistic; a greater concern for the welfare and well being of others.  We don’t see this happen to the same level at Easter or any other time of the year.

This lift in the collective consciouness of mankind does have an effect on the entire world and I am sure it also permiates many levels of the astral.

If we can cut through all the rampant commercialism, it is still a great time of the year and for those who are sensitive to the energies, you would know there is a lighter feel to the general vibration.

So who wouldn’t want to be part of this?

Spiritualists, as much as anybody else, enjoy a good get-together and celebration as much as anybody else. We enjoy catching up with family and friends, and relaxing after a long year.

So yes, we will be taking opportunity to join in. Our prayers wont be to Jesus, our thoughts will go out to all mankind to think about what it would be like if the goodwill we experience over this period of time could be extended to throughout the entire year.

Do have a merry Christmas, a happy new year and please keep safe.

John Blackburn

PS  When travelling to see family and friends, please remember this little saying my mother used to share;  “Better to arrive a few minutes late than not at all”.