In a traditional sense, Christmas is a holiday to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The name Christ means the anointed one. Jesus’ birth name in Hebrew was Yeshua and when translated into English means Joshua.[1] There’s been much controversy and bloodshed over whether Jesus is the actual messiah, brought to earth to save the world. This has caused a range of responses, anything from radical to apathetic, with never-ending controversy.
Unfortunately, Jesus’ simple messages that could bring us to salvation have been lost. But we don’t have to get caught up in the conflicts of whether or not Jesus is God incarnate or just a man. Transformation comes from an open heart and a listening spirit. If we hear the messages that Jesus gave, we can have a “Christ” consciousness that brings peace and harmony to our souls.
Love God. When Jesus was asked, “What is the most important commandment?” he told us to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds.[2] Instead of following rituals and dogmas, he wanted us to develop a spiritual relationship with our creator. But many people don’t understand who or what God is.
Jesus never tried to define God. He wanted us to find our way to a personal relationship with the Divine through his example and messages. Our brains aren’t equipped to understand everything. But we can be willing to ponder about God and come up with something that resonates with our deepest self. Some people feel it’s nature, others see it as a divine intelligence that keeps order across the universe. I like to think of God as love. So, if we worship love, we will reap the benefits that love brings – peace, joy, and harmony.
Love Your Neighbor. I sometimes struggle with why there’s so much hatred and violence in the world. People attack one another because of their race, religion, or simply because they don’t like someone they don’t even know. And you can’t know someone if you haven’t spent time with that person.
If we would make the effort to love one another the world would be a safe place no matter where we are. Instead, there’s too much focus on differences, including who’s right and wrong – especially about religion. If we compare ourselves to others instead of relating, we create separation instead of unity.
When Jesus told us to love one another, his message was paternal – a father speaking to his children. Love your brothers and sisters – even if they are mistaken or wrong. He wasn’t telling us to accept bad behavior, he was telling us to see past human flaws and remain connected. He was a living example of someone who continued to love despite being scorned, tortured, and even killed. He recognized human limitations and saw past those flaws into the spirit of every person. When we come from love, we light up the lives of those we touch.
As Yourself. This means we are supposed to love ourselves. If we don’t love ourselves, we can’t truly love anyone or anything else. But what does it mean to love yourself?
Love is an action word that means you care for yourself as a loving parent would a child – physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Physical love means you nurture your body with the right amount of healthy food, exercise, and enough rest, and treat it like a sacred temple. You recognize its strengths and limitations without violating its design to remain healthy.
Mental love means allowing yourself to have feelings and learning how to process and communicate those emotions in healthy ways. It means allowing yourself to be vulnerable and letting others comfort you or assist you in other ways during times of need.
Spiritual love is cultivated by maintaining a loving consciousness and reflecting on what’s right instead of what’s wrong. Do you stop to appreciate a beautiful sunset, or are you too busy to notice? Do you beat yourself up for making mistakes or are you grateful for the lesson? Do you walk away from people who disappoint you or are you willing to forgive?
Are you in awe of a rainbow and a starry night or is it just another ho-hum experience? We can draw from the essence of beauty, nature, music, and all the goodness that is provided and so easily taken for granted. Spiritual love is having gratitude for all of life’s experiences and recognizing they all provide a path to heaven.
Christmas consciousness isn’t about worship and rituals. It’s about truly practicing those three simple messages directly delivered from the One who mastered all three.
We don’t have to be happy; we have free will to think or believe however we want. But for those who want to strive for a Christ consciousness, all you have to do is love.
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Donna Marks is an educator, licensed psychotherapist, and addictions counselor in Palm Beach, Florida. She has worked with over 6,000 clients. Donna’s struggle with addiction brought her to a worldwide search for healing. She became licensed as a Mental Health Counselor in 1987. In 1989, she earned a Doctorate Degree in Adult Education, then became Certified in Addictions, Gestalt Therapy, Psychoanalysis, Hypnosis, and Sex Therapy. Donna developed an award-winning addiction training program at Palm Beach Community College. She co-owns an outpatient treatment program and serves as a consultant to treatment centers. For 36 years, she has taught A Course in Miracles.
Donna is the author of three books: the multi-award-winning title Exit the Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure, and Learn, Grow, Forgive: A Path to Spiritual Success, The Healing Moment: Seven Paths to Turn Messes into Miracles of Love, and her latest fiction, Fortis & Sapiente – A Tale of Two Lovers Who Successfully Navigate the Murky Waters of Love. Donna is a public speaker and has shared her methods with millions of listeners on podcasts and radio shows.
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