ISSUE DATE: DECEMBER 2007
This month's spiritual solution:
A Metaphysical Interpretation of Christmas
What is the true meaning of Christmas from a spiritual and metaphysical point of view?
Many people believe that the true spirit of Christmas has somehow been lost and that instead of it being a celebration of the birth of Jesus, it has turned into a purely commercial exercise in consumer spending and the ultimate in excess and greed. So we may well ask, just what is the true meaning? Does Christmas still have any deeper significance in today's modern and so called sophisticated society? Can the biblical stories of angels, virgin births, mangers and maji stand up to the scrutiny of intelligent enquiry? Rather than argue the case for or against authenticity, perhaps we can explore the symbolism of the "Nativity Story" from a metaphysical perspective.
"Virgin birth" tales are not confined to Christianity. If we go back 5000 years to the ancient civilisation of Egypt, we have the story of the Goddess Isis conceiving her son Horus through Divine intervention after the death of her husband Osiris. Horus was considered to be the "saviour god" who had come to redeem the world by conquering the evil god Set (the Satan of orthodox Christian teachings). The concept of virgin births also exists in many other philosophies and religions.
The authors of the Bible often wrote in symbolic metaphor and esoteric language, so separating the symbolism from fact is a feat in itself and biblical scholars have struggled with this dilemma for centuries.
From a metaphysical viewpoint, that which expresses itself in the outer, has its cause or equivalent counterpart within our consciousness. Whether the birth of Jesus happened in literally the same way as the gospels tell us (and only two of the gospels mention it) we do not know. There is though, enough evidence to give credance to the belief that a man called Jesus did exist and the fact that his teachings have endured for over 2000 years is quite phenomenal considering that his ministry is said to have lasted for only three years.
So whether or not the birth took place in a manger or a mansion is probably quite irrelevant to the overall sustaining quality of the principles. What is relevant, however, is the deep symbolic meaning behind the story.
When interpreted as an inner spiritual unfoldment, the Christmas story takes on a much greater significance than a historical one. The virgin birth then takes place within our own consciousness. As spiritual beings, we are automatically impregnated with the Spirit of Life - the Christ Principle. The word Christ, comes from the Greek word, "Christos" which means "One who is anointed". In other philosophies, the equivalent of the Christ might be called, The Buddha Wisdom, The Krishna Consciousness, The Illumned or Enlightened Self. It is as though the Christ Consciousness lies dormant within us until it is awakened.
The Virgin Consciousness is the nature of the mind when it is in a state of purity and innocence. This has nothing to do with physical morality, it refers to the condition of the mind when it moves from a belief in spiritual separation to to the realisation of Oneness. This is known as the "Pure (virgin) Consciousness" which being at one with the Source can give birth to the Christ.
When Jesus is born in a manger, metaphysically it is a symbol of the Christ Consciousness being born in the hearts of mankind. The manger represents the body in which new life is first manifested.
Mary symbolises the purified soul that has become highly intuitive and sensitive to inspiration from Higher Awareness. Joseph represents understanding. When the understanding is in union with the intuitive faculty, the Christ Consciousness can be expressed.
The shepherds - the first to pay homage to the Divine Child - represent the faith within us and the wise men represent the wisdom carried deep within the soul, that inner knowledge of the deep truth of our spiritual heritage. The illumined Star of The East represents the guidance inherent within all beings which enables us to be inspired to make the journey that unites us with the Christ Principle. The East symbolises the place of mankind's inner awareness.
The gifts of the maji represent the inner resources of the Spirit. Gold symbolises the riches of the Spirit, Frankincense, the beauty of the Spirit and Myrrh, the eternity of the Spirit.
We can celebrate Christmas at any time because it truly is within us. But the celebrations at this time of the year are a perfect reminder that the Christ Consciousness is here and ready to be expressed out into the world. May you have a peaceful and joyful time and may you be blessed.
Home Practice
As you share your gifts this Christmas, silently bless all who will receive them
"May the riches of the Spirit support you. May the beauty of the Spirit shine through you and may the eternity of the Spirit sustain you always. May you be blessed"
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