FEATURE — For the “From Figures of Faith” series, St. George News reached out to the Interfaith Council of St. George and asked if they had a message about the holiday season they would like to share with our readers.
The following was submitted by Rev. Laura Hallett of the Center for Spiritual Living, 908 N. 1400 West, St. George.
Happy Holidays!
Here at Centers for Spiritual Living, the Christmas season is the celebration of the Christ Consciousness, the Illumined Being, which is the very nature of who and what we truly are. We recognize Jesus the Christ as a person in whom this consciousness was fully realized.
He is the great example of this Being of Light and the Wayshower to a life lived in conscious union with the divine. Often referred to as the Master Teacher, Jesus demonstrated an awareness of the divine nature that is born within each of us.
As we begin to understand the universal principles and practices that Jesus taught, we awaken to the truth of our divinity and begin to realize that each of us is the Holy Child, the Living Spirit in form, divine in nature, and brought forth to be a Light in this world.
Being a light in this world carries with it a great obligation. For as we recognize the light of the illumined consciousness within ourselves, we must also be willing to see it in others. It is our great opportunity and a highly developed spiritual practice to look beyond the appearances and behaviors of others and see the Christ Consciousness there before us.
As we train ourselves to look at the truth of each person in every circumstance – as we “love our neighbor” – we are awakened to the divinity that lies at the very heart of our being. However, when we judge, ridicule or condemn other people, we are “bearing false witness” not only against the other people but against ourselves.
Christmas truly is a celebration of the Light, the singular Light, originating from One Source, manifesting itself in multiple and diverse ways. It is that one Light that resides within each and every one of us. This one Light transcends culture, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, socioeconomic status and all other factors that seem to separate us from this oneness. We are here to recognize that same one Light within all beings.
As we practice this, the Light within us begins to shine so brightly that we become a place of hope and love and inspiration for all who enter our presence. We become an opening through which the Power and Presence of the One can touch those who have yet to awaken to the Light within their own being. This is the gift of the Illumined Consciousness – the perfect Christmas present, the gift that keeps on giving.
There is but one Life; that Life is Perfect; that Life is God/Spirit/Universal Presence/Love; that Life is the very nature of who and what each of us truly is right now and always. Our task is to remember this, to let it inform all of our actions and to let it be the guiding and directing force of our lives. And when we can truly do this, we are able to claim, as the Master Teacher did, “I and my Father are One.”
Best wishes for a holiday season filled with peace and love.
St. George News’ “From Figures of Faith” series is published the weekend leading up to Christmas Day. For all faith messages, click here.
Submissions are not the product of St. George News, its editors, staff or news contributors. The matters stated and opinions given are the responsibility of the person submitting them. They do not reflect the product or opinion of St. George News and are given only light edit for technical style and formatting.
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