The essence of Christmas, as viewed through the Anabaptist lens, is rooted in the profound simplicity and historical significance of Jesus Christ’s birth. In our communities, this season is a time of reflection, an opportunity to turn our thoughts to the humble beginnings of Jesus in Bethlehem, and to contemplate the profound impact of His life and teachings.
In Anabaptist traditions, Christmas is less about the fanfare of modern celebrations and more about the quiet, reflective joy of the event that changed history. It’s a time to gather in fellowship, to share in the joy of community, and to extend our hands in service and love to those around us. We cherish the simplicity of the season, avoiding the commercialization and materialism that often accompanies modern festivities. Instead, we focus on the spiritual connections, the shared meals, songs, and the stories that bind us closer as a community and as a family in faith.
At the heart of our Christmas is the story of a Savior’s birth - a story that brings hope and peace to the world. This story, told and retold through generations, remains a cornerstone of our faith and a guiding light in our lives. The manger, a humble and simple abode, symbolizes not only the physical birthplace of Jesus but also the spiritual qualities he embodied - humility, simplicity, and an unwavering commitment to serving others.
”Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” - 2 Corinthians 8:9
As we remember the birth of Jesus, let us also recall his teachings, which call us to love our neighbors and to live lives of humility and service.
”A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” - John 13:34
This season, as we gather with loved ones and partake in our traditions, let us remember the true reason for our joy and celebration:
”For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” - Luke 2:11
”Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.” - Philippians 2:5-7
In this spirit of humility, service, and love, we embrace the Christmas season, finding joy not in worldly things but in the deeper truth of Christ’s message and his enduring love for all humanity. The manger, in its simplicity, reminds us of the essence of Christ’s teachings and the path of spiritual growth that we are invited to walk. It symbolizes the birth of not only a savior but also the birth of new possibilities for love, compassion, and community in our own lives.
As we embrace the Christmas season, the commentary of the Confederation of Planets in service to the One Infinite Creator on Jesus’s teachings invite us to delve deeper into its symbolic and spiritual significance. This time of year is not just a historical commemoration but a profound opportunity for inner reflection and awakening to the consciousness of unconditional love that resides within us all.
Christmas symbolizes a moment of deep spiritual introspection, where we are encouraged to discover and nurture the divine spark within our hearts. It’s a time to celebrate the birth of Christ consciousness, a universal love that transcends all boundaries and unites us in our shared human experience. This season, let us take a journey inward, to the sacred space within our hearts where our true spiritual essence resides.
In this sacred space, we find a metaphorical manger, cradling our own spiritual being, waiting to be acknowledged and nurtured. The Confederation describes this inner journey as a continuous process of birthing and nurturing our spiritual selves, akin to the motherly care of Mary for Jesus. As Oxal states, ”Each mother physically experiences the nurturing of that in darkness which will be delivered forth into the light... as you nurture your own infant spirits... in your heart”
”Each of you has within your heart a manger in which lies your own spiritual being... Time spent in the heart rocking this cradle is worthwhile.” This analogy suggests that within each of us lies a vulnerable, infant self that yearns for spiritual nurturing and protection, much like the infant Jesus in the biblical manger.
As we contemplate the profound meaning of Christmas, let us also remember the timeless words from the Bible that beautifully encapsulate the essence of this season:
”Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” - 1 John 4:7
This Christmas, may we all embrace the love that is from God, nurturing the Christ consciousness within and extending this unconditional love to all beings. In doing so, we honor not just the historical birth of Jesus, but the ever-present love and light that he represents, a love that is the very core of our existence and the greatest gift we can share with the world.
The Confederation further elaborates, ”the planetary entity of the fourth density is this babe in the manger of the mind, body, and spirits that seek the fourth-density experience of love and understanding”. This perspective encourages us to see ourselves as part of a larger, universal process of spiritual evolution, where each of us plays a role in nurturing the collective consciousness towards a state of higher love and understanding.
Let this Christmas be a time of profound inner growth, joy, and the sharing of the infinite love that binds us all. As we nurture the Christ consciousness within our own metaphorical mangers, we become beacons of light and love, transforming not only ourselves but also contributing to the collective spiritual awakening of humanity.