Christmas Message 2013

This entry is part 18 of 28 in the series Christmas Messages

The Hands of God

Don had been a believer in God and accepted Jesus as his Son. He had always tried to speak positive of living the good Christian life, which would lead to peace and happiness in this world and the next.

Now, for the first time in his life he doubted everything. He was on the verge of totally rejecting God, Christ, sacrifice, salvation, love – the whole works – anything associated with all that he embraced in the past.

Here it was Christmas eve and he was all alone reflecting on the terrible year it had been. January was a shock because he didn’t get the promotion that he deserved. Then in April when he was expecting a raise he received a cut in salary, In June he had a car accident that laid him in the hospital with the insurance only paying part of the expenses. In September he realized he was hooked on pain killers. In November his wife had an affair and when confronted she asked for a divorce. It didn’t help that she pointed out that she had now found a real man.

Now to top it all off, on this day, Christmas eve, he was fired from his job where he had been a faithful employee for 20 years. Yes, reflecting on this terrible year filled him with unspeakable rage. He felt like cursing God with such language that would make hell itself shutter. He raised his fist, looked to the sky and was about to lash out at God for being so unloving, uncaring and basically one mean SOB for not giving a damn about him. He was thinking that since God couldn’t possibly be this negligent that he must not exist at all.

Just as he was about to utter the most destructive words of his life he hesitated and could not bring himself to curse his Lord. Instead, he fell to the floor crying like a baby with great sorrow speaking these desperate words:

“Oh, Lord my God! Are you really there? Are you the God of love or just a tormentor laughing at my misery? If you love me, then where is it, because I feel nothing.”

Don just lay on the floor sobbing and feeling sorry for himself until it seemed that he fell asleep. In that place of twilight where he was not sure if he was asleep or awake he heard a gentle voice speaking his name. He looked up and to his amazement his Lord stood in front of him. This beautiful being grabbed Don’s hand and said, “Arise,” as he lifted him up. “What can I do for you?” he asked.

“For starters, you an answer some questions. How can God be looked upon as loving or even good when He allows so much suffering? My life over the past year has been a living hell and even though I have prayed regularly God has done nothing for me. I’ve felt completely abandoned.”

“Come let me show you something,” said the Master. He waved his hand in the direction of the wall and suddenly an image appeared. Don looked and saw a child in a hospital bed awaiting surgery to save his life. He was terrified. Then his mother entered the room and caressed him with love only a mother can give while speaking comforting words. The child was then at peace as he entered the operating room.

The physician looked at the child before him and thought that this could be his own in different circumstances and proceeded with all diligence and skill to save him. The child recovered to live a full life.

“Look again,” he said.

This time he saw a soldier in Afghanistan who had just survived a deadly firefight. He was wounded and dying with thoughts of meeting his Lord when villagers who didn’t even speak English came to assist him and saved his life at great peril to their own.

“One more time,” said the Master.

This time Don saw a man at the end of his rope on the edge of a bridge preparing to jump. He was given an insight into his life and Don had to admit that his life was in worse shape than his own. Just as he was about to jump he heard the soft voice of a young lady who approached him.

“Please don’t do this my friend. Life is good and there is much to live for.”

“I have nothing to live for. My life is horrible and no one cares.”

The lady reached out her hand, looked him in the eye and said, “I care. Now take my hand and come with me.”

The words, “I care,” touched the man’s soul and he realized that he could not jump. He took her hand and began life anew.

The Master looked at Don and spoke, what do these three accounts have in common?

Don replied, “They are all examples of the neglect of God. If humans hadn’t come to assist, the three people would have died.”

“Listen and learn the truth,” said the Master. “Humans are in the image of God and as reflections of Him they are his hands and vessels of love upon the earth. It is the responsibility of the Sons and Daughters of God to manifest the love of God on the earth. When the mother lovingly comforted her child, I was there. When the surgeon saved his life I was guiding his hands. When the villagers saved the soldier, I was in their hearts and when the lady stretched out her caring hand, I was stretching mine also.

“The Love of God cannot be comprehended except through caring and kindness from other humans who are instruments in the hands of God.”

“Well, the hands of God didn’t do much for me.”

“They did more than you realize,” said the Master. “Look again.”

Don looked and he saw a review of his life over the past year. He saw that when he was denied the promotion that his friend Jim reached out to him and spent time with him to lift his spirits.

When he didn’t get the promotion he was in a terrible mood and his wife did her best to comfort and assure him. Instead of appreciating it he lashed out and complained about everything. This led her to seek comfort from another man.

When Don had the accident he saw that he was operated on by the hands of a caring physician who saved his life. When he got hooked on painkillers friends and family counseled him. Then when his wife left him his friend Jim was there for him again.

The Master spoke, “The Love of God has been with you through the whole year, but you saw it not, neither did you understand.”

“I see your point,” said Don, “and am ready to change my attitude. The problem is that I am feeling terrible over losing my job, on top of everything else, and there is no one to cheer me up. Are you going to send me one of the helping hands?”

“I will send a helping hand,” said the Master. “Take one more look.”

The image of a young man caught Don’s attention. As he looked closely he realized it was his own son, lying in bed staring at the ceiling with tears in his eyes. Somehow Don understood his feelings. During this whole terrible year his son did his best to comfort his father and sought to spend time with him. Don was always too busy or preoccupied. He had heard that his Dad lost his job and was contemplating visiting him but was afraid Don would be drowning in sorrow and anger and brush him off.

Don saw that his son was thinking of happier times and was wishing he could share some happiness with his Dad again just one more time.

As the image faded Don spoke, “I didn’t realize the void my own child feels because of a lack of love and that this love must come from me. I must be the helping hand that you will send.”

“Correct,” said the Master. “It is now your turn to be the hands, head and heart of God. Go to your son and fill his heart with joy. Heal your son and you will heal yourself and once more you will believe in the reality of the love of God.”

Don went to his son and they embraced, shared old stories and touched each other’s hearts. Both were healed. Don began to take attention off himself and sought to bring comfort to others. As he did this he realized that he was one of the hands of God and the servants of God are continually nourished with the love of God.

Oh, and it wasn’t long before someone who he helped, assisted him in return and gave him a lead that led to a good job which also led to finding a wonderful woman as a companion.

Their happy home has this message stuck on their refrigerator: “We are the hands and the heart of God, seeking to manifest the Love of God.”

 

Copyright by J J Dewey 2013

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Christmas Message 2012

This entry is part 17 of 28 in the series Christmas Messages

The Prince of Peace

The greatest inner peace can be had at the time of the most tumultuous outer conflict.

This truth was beautifully illustrated by none other than the one the world calls the “Prince of Peace,” the Christ.

He regularly greeted his disciples with the phrase, “Peace be unto you,” yet the Master had little outer peace.

Everywhere he went authorities threatened him.

Religious leaders were constantly challenging his teachings.

His life was in constant danger.

He was rejected by his hometown.

He had “No where to lay his head.”

His disciples were competing for his attention.

Thousands of ordinary people followed him wanting his attention and healing.

Tax collectors were after him.

People ignored his core message of love, the gathering and inclusiveness and just wanted something done for them in the immediate moment.

There was little reason for him to speak of peace…

But – of peace He did speak – and often.

Of what manner of peace did He speak?

A hint was given in his words to Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world.”

Neither is his peace of this world.

Let us tune in to the mind of Christ through the Oneness Principle for further light:

My beloved friends.  I know your hearts are troubled at this time. If your attention is on the outer world there is much available to threaten or to take away your peace.  Many think they live in the worst of times where fear is inescapable and peace is not to be found.

Many times in history it was worse than it is now including the time my feet tread the earth in Israel. Who among you could have walked in my shoes in the midst of slavery, turmoil and expectations of the end of the world and lifted up the standard of peace – a message that has endured through the ages and still lifts the hearts of the downtrodden to this day?

Verily, you could not have done this in your present consciousness so I did it for you.  I have shown what the spirit of man can do in the midst of distress, that in the depths of the deepest valley the highest mountaintop can be seen.

To find and share the great peace of God I placed my attention on a kingdom, which is not of this world, the kingdom of God which is in the mind of God. Both the turbulence and the peace of this world will pass away, but the peace of my kingdom will always be and it is ever present before your vision should you chose to see.

Choose light over darkness and enter into the rest of your Lord.

Cross the threshold and hear my words:

“My peace I give unto you.”

Cross the threshold and feel the Spirit:

“Feel the peace.”

Cross the threshold and be one with God:

“Nothing can disturb the peace of God.”

Yes, I know – to many these statements just seem but words, but they are not.  They are signposts to a greater reality – your true home to be experienced by your true self.

I want you to see in front of you a point of light. Now I want you to close your eyes and continue to see it growing larger until you are one with the flame.

Do this now and open your eyes when done.

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the kingdom that never fails.

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Christmas Message 2011

This entry is part 16 of 28 in the series Christmas Messages

One of the more interesting insights of my soon to be published book, The Unveiling is the interpretation of the two witnesses. Here is one of the core scriptures about them:

And when they shall have finished their testimony, the Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. Rev 11:7-9

The two witnesses that follow the life of the true disciple are his words and works. In the case of Jesus we see a man who spoke great and eternal words and did marvelous works. These two witnesses caused the world to recognize him as a Son of God and great teacher of truth.

Unfortunately as soon as the world began to pay attention to the words and works of Jesus, the beast, who demands a worship of the outer god, corrupted the words and works of Jesus and caused the people to see them through distorted vision. Instead of seeing the kingdom of God as within and believing that seekers could speak great words and do great things as did Jesus the people were convinced that they should listen to an outward authority who would guide their words and works.

Thus were the two witnesses killed. And as they lay dead in the streets of spiritual Sodom and Egypt what do the people do in place of incorporating the words and works of the Master? The scripture rings so clear and true:

“And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another.” Rev 11:10

And what do we do at Christmas?

As a substitute for contemplating eternal words and doing great works we “make merry and send gifts one to another.”

It is difficult to find a scripture that has a more literal fulfillment than this one has.

Don’t get me wrong. Making merry and sending gifts in itself is not a bad thing. The problem is that this is the highlight of Christmas which in turn is seen by the Christian world as the highlight of Christianity and honoring Christ. We have substituted the thrill allowing living words and works to manifest through us to be replaced by celebrating and giving gifts.

As the world celebrates Christmas in an attempt to honor Christ we have allowed his words and works lie dead and untouched in the streets.

But this shall not always be the case. The scripture continues:

“And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.” Rev 11:11

The time is at hand when living eternal words will rise again and great works will again manifest. They shall shake the people up like a great earthquake and many will fear the change they represent. On the other hand, the pure in heart will find peace that passes all understanding for great joy awaits them.

May we all experience a gift which surpasses the greatest that money can buy which is the gift of the coming of Christ through you and me – inspiring us to forge ahead and do great things in service of our fellow men and women.

 

Copyright 2011 by J J Dewey

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Christmas Message 2010

This entry is part 15 of 28 in the series Christmas Messages

Calming the Storm

The Son of Man, which is the Son of God, the teacher of angels, men and Masters looked out upon the world on Christmas day and assessed the needs of the race of humanity.

They have always been fearful, he thought, but this year their hearts do vibrate with this emotion more than before. They are like my disciples of old, when in a storm at sea, they did wake me with fear in their hearts pleading with me to do something.

I arose and reminded them that faith, love and peace must occupy their hearts – not fear. Like draws like and fear draws that which is frightening.  Peace and love within draws that which is peaceful and loving without.

“I then spoke to the hearts of the disciples, “Where is your faith?  Let it come forth and be born anew. Let peace come forth within…  Be still, cast away fear and feel the peace of God.”

“I then looked out upon the storm without and spoke the words, ‘Peace…  Be still.’

The disciples did not realize they were a part of the miracle for first peace had to rest upon their hearts before it could calm the seas.

What was the greater work, to bring peace to the human heart or to the sea? Verily, I say it was a greater miracle to calm the human heart than the sea in its wrath.  It took all my focus to calm the men who were with me and by comparison calming the seas was an after thought.

As I look upon the hearts of the sons and daughters of God I see fear and turbulence of spirit as if they were also in the midst of a great storm.  Many send their thoughts to me, “Save us Lord, else we perish.”

Their fear brings forth fearful things so if the children of men want a peaceful and prosperous future they must first set their hearts in tune with the peaceful Spirit of God and sense the fullness rather than the lack.

.
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If they can do this one thing then the terrible things they fear will be as if they never were or will be.

Therefore, call upon God in my name and ask for the peace that passes all understanding.  Ask in faith believing and I will come into you and share your joy. Together we will dwell in peaceful pastures beyond the touch of all things that humanity fears.

One by one humanity will drop their fears and join with me and when the desired number is reached I will go forth with them and create the world anew – a world in tune with the love of God.

Let peace first settle in the hearts within
Then as sure as the day follows the night,
Peace on earth good will to men
Will be everywhere in sight.

Twelve Days of Christmas Explained

This entry is part 14 of 28 in the series Christmas Messages

Most people just see this as a cute song, but few realize there is deeper meaning involved.

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

Christmas Message 1998

This entry is part 1 of 28 in the series Christmas Messages

Hope

As I was in the middle of an article to post the Spirit rested upon me and said:

“Write the words of inspiration. There are those who need to be lifted up in spirit, who need words of hope.”

“What words shall I write?” I asked.

“You know the words, the thoughts, the hope, they are resting in your heart even now. There are those who want and need to hear them.”

I paused and searched within my heart, and my soul was immediately flooded to overflowing with emotion. The intensity was so great I had to pause a moment and then returned and drank again from the great fountain. As I replenished myself the first great phrase came forth.

“He upon who the nations wait is waiting Himself for the time to manifest to the pure in heart and to the world. All who hear the Voice of the Spirit can shorten the wait by trusting in the Voice which is speaking within them.”

I absorbed these words as a thirsty plant does living water and heard the Voice speak again:

“Find the words of Hope. Hope is missing from the souls of many as if there were a famine in the hearts of the children of men.”

I obeyed and searched my heart again and in a place with dim lights, competing noises and little nourishment I found the Word. It was in a place passed over from ages hence. I lifted up the Word and embraced it and it did cause my heart to burn and words, great words, did I hear:

“I, even I, am the Hope of the world. There is none, not even one, who has had hope in Me who has done so in vain. My heart is wide as eternity and carries the hope of the child in all of you. You have looked for, and yearned for and hoped for a better world, a world of true brotherhood, of peace on earth good will toward men. When you sought One to come to deliver such a world, that hope you had was sent forth on ‘wings of power’ and circulates always in eternity. My friends, listen to my voice for I am aware of each time in your life that this hope has surfaced and promise you that the day will come when you shall see me face to face and the time of hope shall be exchanged for a time of fullness of joy.

“To all who hear these words I say nourish that hope which is in you and give it to others as the passing of a candle. You know not the power you have in kindling the hope of the downtrodden. You know not how much the souls of men yearn to have Hope burn within them again. Look upon the world…”

I immediately felt my spirit being lifted up and saw the world by feeling the world. The world as an entity had its eyes downward and was pulled upon by a dark and powerful gravity that seemed to have taken the world’s attention away from the bright and shining light that was hovering upward, if the world would only look and see.

Again the voice spoke to me:

“Tell the world to look upward and listen!”

I put my attention on the world and spoke the words it wanted to hear:

“Look up and see the Hope of the world.”

The world obeyed, but slowly, and finally looked upward. As it turned it saw a great light that released it from the gravity that held it bound. Then words were spoken and hope was born anew.

“I am coming even as I promised I would to fulfil my words to you, the world, because I love the world. I am coming even now in the hearts of men and women everywhere and in a short time my feet will walk among the paths of men, my hands will heal their wounds and I will sit at their tables and the Light and Love and Power of my Father-Mother God will rest upon them.

“Let not your hearts be troubled about how or when I shall manifest, but only let your eye be single on the faith that it shall occur. Join your minds to the Eternal Now and be as if I am here at this moment and it shall be. My First and Second Coming is now One and I am with you now. Take a moment (or more) of silence and feel My Love and hear My voice speak within you.

“Be ever aware that I live and am BECOMING in you.”

Personal note from JJ:

Please take this moment (or moments) of silence seriously. You may just feel the Master…. the best Christmas gift possible.

Posted 1998-12-24 07:37:00
Next: Christmas Present

Copyright © 1998 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved

Christmas Present

This entry is part 2 of 28 in the series Christmas Messages

Lincoln & Christmas 1864

Here’s a nice Christmas story to add to the Christmas Spirit.

On Christmas Day 1864, attractively attired Laura Jones made a desperate call on the President of the United States. She absolutely had to get in to see Abraham Lincoln!

A holiday peacefulness had settled over the White House, even though America was still caught in the throes of the Civil War. As dusk settled over the White House, Lincoln finished signing a stack of papers. He laid down his pen and sighed.

“What else is there to sign, Mr. Secretary?” Lincoln asked Gideon Welles. “Are we finally through for the day?”

“Mr. President, there is one special request from a 23-year old girl who has been trapped here in Washington since the war began,” Welles responded. “She desires to have a pass so she might travel safely to Richmond in order to have a Christmas wedding to her sweetheart, Jamie Joe Ballinger — a Confederate soldier.”

There was a long pause. Then Lincoln had his butler, Billy Slade, go tell the girl to come in. Lincoln spoke briefly with the forlorn Laura Jones, and her sincerity seemed to make a deep impression on the President.

After silently listening to Laura’s story, Lincoln nodded his head, and with a few stokes of his pen, proceeded to write some words on a card. He handed the travel pass to Miss Jones and wished her a Merry Christmas.

Laura Jones could not speak. Her eyes brimmed with tears of happiness. She was so grateful that she fell to her knees before the President.

“Get up!” Ordered Lincoln in a soft fatherly tone. “Do not kneel to me, but thank God and go!”

“Good-bye, Mr. Lincoln,” she said. “I shall probably never again see you until we meet in Heaven.”

President Lincoln was deeply moved. “I am afraid with all my trouble I shall never get to the resting place you speak of, but if I do, I’m sure I will find you there. That you wish me to get there is, I believe, the best wish you could possibly make for me. Good-bye, Miss Jones.”

Helping Laura Jones, a 23 year-old girl in love with an enemy soldier, was one of the nicest Christmas presents Lincoln ever gave. And it was his last. Less than four months later he was shot dead at Ford’s Theater.
Posted 1998-12-13 05:45:00

Next: The Santa God

The Santa God

This entry is part 3 of 28 in the series Christmas Messages

A reader was offended with my following statement:

“This simplistic view works well as a teaching mechanism for the spiritual infants of the world who see God as an amplified Santa Claus, but there comes a time that the seeker realizes that the Santa Claus God is an illusion and wants a more logical reason behind the true disciplines and gifts of the Father/Mother/It God.”

Even though I gave this in answer to one of your questions I did not mean to direct it at you, but I was trying to teach the general principle as it applies to all. I was not assuming that you saw God as an amplified Santa Claus.

It is interesting though to apply the law of correspondences to the idea of Santa Claus. Children are taught the illusionary belief that there is a real physical Santa Claus who brings gifts to all the “good” children of the world, but if you are “bad” then Santa Claus will have nothing for you. You may stand out among your friends as a bad kid because you received few or no gifts.

You go through several cycles of dealing with this illusion until you individualize enough to wake up and smell the coffee. You begin asking questions. “Dad, there are millions of kids in the world. How does Santa Claus visit them all?”

Dad gives an answer, but you are not satisfied with it.

“Mom, how does Santa Claus get into our house through such a small chimney?”

Mom gives an answer that shuts you up for a time, but still you wonder.

“Dad, why does my friend Jimmy get a lot better stuff than me when he got caught stealing from the grocery store and cheating in school? I’ve been a good kid and I get cheap stuff.”

Dad gives an answer but now you’re really getting uneasy. You’re not satisfied with it.

“Mom, we saw three Santa Clauses today while shopping. Which one is the real one?”

“They’re just helpers of the real Santa,” says Mom.

“Well, I want to see the real one.”

“He’s up at the North Pole making toys.”

“How does he make millions of toys?”

“He has lots of elves that help him.”

“But the last Santa I talked to said he was the real one.”

“Maybe you just got lucky then,” smiled Mom.

You then look back at mom smiling and wonder. Are you being told the truth here or is there some type of scam going on? You decide to find out the truth once and for all. On Christmas Eve you sneak out of bed and hide in a closet with the door cracked open so you can see the Christmas tree and the chimney. You are going to catch Santa when he shows up and ask him some questions and get some straight answers.

You wait and wait and nothing seems to happen, but then finally you see some movement, but it is not Santa coming through a chimney. Instead it is Mom and Dad with presents in hand placing them under the tree.

You sit back and slap yourself on the side of the head. “I should have known,” you think. “It all makes sense now. Mom and Dad are Santa Clause!

Why didn’t I realize the truth after all the signs I saw? Why wasn’t I able to put it all together?”

The interesting thing is that even though you discovered that you were in an illusion, you also found that the gifts of Christmas were not illusion. The gifts were real, but they materialized through a different process than you previously believed. You have now discovered a cause and effect that makes sense and this knowledge is actually more satisfying to your growing consciousness.

Now what is the correspondence here? As young souls, Santa Claus corresponds to God and we ask similar questions about Him. To our Reverend, Father, Pastor, Mom, Dad, or friends we ask:

“If God is all powerful and loving then why does He allow so much suffering?”

“How is God aware of me and billions of others all at the same time?”

“How does God find time to pay attention to me and billions of others at the same time?”

“Why do I only see God’s helpers? I want to see the real God.”

“Why do I have so many problems when I am a good guy and Jim lives in luxury when he is an SOB?”

“Why do I have to go to church when it is so boring and I don’t learn anything?”

“How can God be everywhere all at the same time, yet be sitting on a throne in heaven?”

Finally, after a period of questioning you withdraw to your closet and open the door to your inner world and you see that the reality of the God you have been told about is no more real than Santa Claus. There is a source of all your gifts, but it is not as you supposed. In many ways it is better than you supposed because it is real.
Posted 1999-6-5 23:43:00

Next: Interesting Facts on Christmas

Copyright 1999 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved

Interesting Facts on Christmas

This entry is part 4 of 28 in the series Christmas Messages

Here are some lesser known facts about Christmas that I think you might enjoy:

1. Jesus was probably born in either the spring or fall and not December 25th.
2. December 25th was a holiday centuries before the birth of Christ. On this day the Romans celebrated the Mirthraic feast of the Sun-god. Also from December 17-23 they held a great festival honoring Saturnus, the god of agriculture.
3. Early Christians were reluctant to celebrate the birth of Christ until the Church at Rome declared it as a day of celebration around 320 A.D.
4. The first known Christmas Carol (Jesus Light of All Nations) was written in 368 A.D. by St. Hilary of Poitiers.
5. The Christmas tree also predates Christmas. During the festival of Saturnus the Romans used the evergreen as a decoration in their homes. It was not widely used in connection with Christmas until the middle 1800’s.
6. The Custom of lighting Christmas trees began in the United States.
7. The Romans used the mistletoe as a symbol of peace. If enemies met under it they were to discard their arms and declare a truce. This ancient custom led to kissing under the mistletoe.
8. Holly became a Christmas decoration because legend has it that the crown of thorns of the head of Christ was holly.
9. The use of candles began in Ireland during religious persecution. Suppressed Christians put lighted candles in their windows on Christmas Eve as a sign of allegiance to Christ.
10. In many European countries children believe that Christ brings them gifts instead of Santa Claus.

11. The first Christmas cards in the United States were introduced by a printer named Louis Prang in 1875 about thirty years after they started in England.
12. In Italy Children set out their shoes for a female Santa Claus.

Happiness consists in accepting and adapting to the things you cannot presently change yet proceeding with a firm belief that you can eventually change all things for your good and acting accordingly.
Posted 1998-12-12 20:46:00

Next: Christmas Message 2001

Christmas Message 2001

This entry is part 5 of 28 in the series Christmas Messages

Christ-mas

I thought I would divert from the regular class and give a Christmas message. Maybe I will start a tradition with this and do it each year.
This is the time of year that we celebrate the birth of Christ, a symbol of the first initiation where the birth of the Christ Consciousness is born in the dark cavern of the heart.

I like the account of this given in the Aquarian Gospel:

(Beginning of quoted material.)

“1. The time was nearly due for Jesus to be born, and Mary longed to see Elizabeth, and she and Joseph turned their faces toward the Judean hills.

“2. And when upon their way they came to Bethlehem the day was done, and they must tarry for the night.

“3. But Bethlehem was thronged with people going to Jerusalem; the inns and homes were filled with guests, and Joseph and his wife could find no place to rest but in a cave where animals were kept; and there they slept.

“4. At midnight came a cry, a child is born in yonder cave among the beasts. And lo, the promised son of man was born.

“5. And strangers took the little one and wrapped him in the dainty robes that Mary had prepared and laid him in a trough from which the beasts of burden fed.

“6. Three persons clad in snowwhite robes came in and stood before the child and said,

“7. All strength, all wisdom and all love be your, Immanuel.

“8. Now, on the hills of Bethehem were many flocks of sheep with shepherds guarding them.

“9. The shepherds were devout, were men of prayer, and they were waiting for a strong deliverer to come.

“10. And when the child of promise came, a man in snow-white robe appeared to them, and they fell back in fear. The man stood forth and said,

“11. Fear not! behold I bring you joyful news. At midnight in a cave in Bethehem was born the prophet and the king that you have long been waiting for.

“12. And then the shepherds all were glad; they felt that all the hills were filled with messengers of light, who said,

“13. All glory be to God on high; peace, peace on earth, good will to men.”

(End of quoted material.)

“Peace, peace on earth, good will to men,” is perhaps the most glorious and hopeful words in all the scriptures, perhaps the greatest words in our language, period, but unfortunately, the full meaning behind the phrase is hidden and not seen by the majority.

When the words are heard many only hear the first part of the phrase and discount the implications of the “good will” portion.

“What do you mean?” one may ask. “Do not peace and good will go together?”

Not necessarily. It depends on the kind of peace which is pursued.

Is there more than one kind of peace?

Yes.

What are they?

Answer: Peace without good will and peace with good will.

What is the difference?

Let me give a possible example. If we had given in to all Hitler’s demands and let him have dominion piece by piece over the world we could have had peace, but there would have been no good will. If today the people had peace, or a lack of conflict, yet have Nazis as our cruel taskmasters there would be no good will either from the Nazis or from the people abused by them.

Instead of settling for this false peace, the Allied nations waged war on Hitler and when we prevailed then the possibility of both peace and good will became possible. We then worked with the energy of good will in a time of peace and helped Germany and Japan rebuild and then let them retain their own independent government.

Because of this good will in a time of peace, which was won through conflict, Japan and Germany are now our friends. In fact they are often more supportive of the United States today than are some of our allies from World War 2.

A static peace which is merely as lack of conflict is easy to attain. All you have to do is roll over and play dead. But then as the enemy steamrolls over you and your friends good will will be ground into the ethers nowhere to be found

Here are a few words of Djwahl Khul (DK) on the subject:

“It is no doubt an undeniable spiritual truth that right thought can change and save the world, but it is also true that there are not enough people able to think to do this work. Also, there is not enough time in which to do it. The thoughts of peace are mainly founded upon a stubborn idealism that loves the ideal more than humanity. They are based also upon an unrecognised fear of war and upon an individual inertia which prefers the dream world of wishful thinking to the shouldering of responsibility for the security of humanity.

“Thus briefly have I sought to make the position of the New Group of World Servers clear as it fights for the rights of man, for the spiritual future of humanity, and for the new world order.

“Peace must not be imposed by those who hate war. Peace must be a natural outcome and expression of the human spirit, and of a determination to change the world attitude into one of right human relations (good will to men).”

This is an interesting statement: “Peace must not be imposed by those who hate war.”

Why is this?

Because hatred of any kind, even a hatred of war will bring circumstances that will suffocate good will. To bring the desired peace and good will we must be willing to do what is necessary.

Why?

DK explains it in this profound statement:

“There is no peace in the questioning hearts of those who are not actively sharing in the struggle against evil.”

This is an interesting statement. No real peace is even possible for those “who are not actively sharing in the struggle against evil.” Unfortunately, this struggle can sometimes include war.

Of the Christ it is written:

“In righteousness he doth judge and make war.” (Rev 19:11)

This is also affirmed by DK as follows:

“The Prince of Peace will lead His people–through war–to peace. Those who think only in terms of peace as they understand it and desire it are apt to forget the Biblical implication that the Prince of Peace takes a definite part in the battle of Armageddon… After achieving victory, He will then lead His triumphant cohorts through the gates into “Jerusalem,” the city of peace. The symbolic and practical significance of this is becoming increasingly apparent. This notable event can and will take place when the free will of the people, blended by invocation and prayer, can make this possible.”

Here is another quote from DK:

“This Avatar can descend to the physical plane and there appear, to lead His people–as the Prince Who leads through war to peace.”

DK tells us that the Christ led us to peace through war during World War Two by working with the hearts and minds of the leaders of the Allied nations to defeat the Axis powers. It is hoped by the Hierarchy that we will not have another major physical conflict before the coming new age, but that the next war will be on the plane of the mind reaching down to the emotional level.

Where this new war surface?

DK gives us a hint:

“Years ago I said that the war which may follow this one would be waged in the field of the world religions. Such a war will not work out, however, in a similar period of extreme carnage and blood; it will be fought largely with mental weapons and in the world of thought; it will involve also the emotional realm, from the standpoint of idealistic fanaticism. This inherent fanaticism (found ever in reactionary groups) will fight against the appearance of the coming world religion and the spread of esotericism. For this struggle certain of the well-organised churches, through their conservative elements (their most powerful elements), are already girding themselves. Those sensitive to the new spiritual impacts are still far from powerful; that which is new always faces the supreme difficulty of superseding and overcoming that which is old and established. Fanaticism, entrenched theological positions, and materialistic selfishness are to be found actively organised in the churches in all continents and of all denominations. They can be expected to fight for their established ecclesiastical order, their material profit and their temporal rule, and already are making the needed preparations.

“The coming struggle will emerge within the churches themselves; it will also be precipitated by the enlightened elements who exist in fair numbers already, and are rapidly growing in strength through the impact of human necessity. The fight will then spread to thinking men and women everywhere who–in a protesting revolt–have denied orthodox churchianity and theology. They are not irreligious but have, through pain and sorrow, learned (without ecclesiastical help) that the spiritual values are the only values which can salvage humanity, that the Hierarchy stands, and that Christ–as the symbol of peace and the Leader of the Forces of Light–is not a negligible force but one that is evoking response from the hearts of men everywhere. True religion will come to be interpreted in terms of the will-to-good and its practical expression, goodwill.”

Today we have just scratched the surface in introducing the truths of the coming age to the churches of the world. The time is coming that these truths must be presented by spiritual warriors who are ready for the great conflict which will ensue. Many churches already see new agers as agents of evil and the antichrist. Imagine their alarm when these truths are actively discussed through the media so they become points of discussion which reaches into almost every home.

Many will rise up and resist the new tidal wave of truth with all their means, but just as the church fathers failed to prevent the exploration of the New World after Columbus, even so will they fail in stopping the great light which has come out of the East “and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matt 24:27)

What must be accomplished before the Prince of Peace can return and consummate the peace which leads to good will?

First the world must reach a degree of stability on its own–so the chances of another great world war on the physical plane is reduced to a minimum. This conflict with the terrorists must be resolved and their power to disrupt the peace of the nations must be curtailed.

The teachings of the East (Djwahl Khul, H. P. Blavatsky, and others) must become more widely taught and discussed.

One or more groups must be prepared to receive this Master of Masters. As it is now the “son of man hath no where to lay his head.” In other words, there is no major group upon the earth (new or old age) that he could walk into and be accepted. Most would cast him out as a trouble maker for his teachings would be seen as a threat to their own belief system.

The call is therefore made to you and me, my friends:

Prepare, prepare a home for the coming of the Lord of Light and Love. Come out of the wilderness of illusionary thought and make a straight the path to the minds and hearts of humanity for the great Lord. If he comes to us as a thief in the night, let us be on watch that we be not overtaken by unbelief and cast out the Word of God as if it were an intruder. Let us prepare ourselves to recognize the face of the Lord and give Him a place to begin His great work that we may hear the desired words of every disciple:

“Well done my good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord.”
Posted 2001-12-25 01:51:00

Copyright © 2001 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved

Next: Christmas Message 2002