The Meanings of Christmas

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.     - Agnes M. Pharo


Deep in each and every one of us, we long to be heard, accepted, and loved.  As we have no control over anyone else, we must execute our own behaviors to open the hearts of others by being available to them.  Not be used, abused, or minimized, but to retrieve parts of our inner being that remain caught in the past.  As a dear mentor of mine says, "Pull our parts together."  In so doing, we become whole and better prepared to approach the life we have been meant to live.

It takes courage to be emotionally vulnerable to what has hurt us in the past.  As we face family or friends, we accept them ... their truth, their path, their choices ... without any need to 'fix' them or bring them 'around to our way of thinking."  They, too, want to be heard, accepted, and loved, but not one of us needs to forsake our selves ... our dreams, our insights, our paths ... in order to be loved.

Personally, I find silence to be a wonderful tool for this holiday season when so many unresolved differences are presented.  Silence, accompanied by sincere listening, genuine acceptance, and love, promotes a safe passage for everyone involved.  We can agree to disagree, emotionally stay in tact, and experience the true meaning of Christmas.

And what is the true meaning of Christmas?  I believe it is determined individually in many languages and with a wide range of definitions.  In the final translation, however, I believe we find these words ... hope, unconditional love, and peace.