Something I want to tell you…

ON THE ELEVENTH day of Christmas my True Love sent to me eleven pipers piping. Each of Jesus’ disciples – eleven of the twelve remained after the crucifixion event – exemplified very human qualities. Indeed, the twelfth, Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, typified a human quality that sits comfortably with none of us. We all have the capacity to sell Jesus out – indeed, we’ve all done it.

There is a question of why existence occurred. The answer could define a belief in personal worth.

The views we hold about personal fate and karma, such as at least 75% of the core circumstances and events in everyone’s life are predestined, are controversial. We regularly receive unsolicited (usually anonymous) feedback.

ON THE NINTH day of Christmas my True Love sent to me nine ladies dancing. The gift that is nine ladies dancing is the teamwork with which they all dance – each lady a distinct fruit of the Spirit. A dance in unison is a beautiful dance to watch. And the fruit of the Spirit is beautiful to experience. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control. In the one they are Jesus Christ – the potential of which is the Christ-child born at Bethlehem. In the one they’re to embody us.

It seems that this holiday season is ripe with realizations for me, and it is my prayer that in sharing what I am learning that you will find some clarity and healing too. As the time approaches for celebrating Christmas with family and loved ones, instead of brimming over with anticipation, different emotions seem to be rising within me. Tears flowed again and again as I decorated the tree and as I prepared homemade favourites for my children. Feelings of loneliness and isolation rose within me as I began my two-week break from teaching. Dread and resistance rise within me as I think of time with my parents and siblings. What is there for me to realize and learn from these emotions?

Have you ever wondered about that scripture in Matthew 13:12 that reads: “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them” (NIV)?

We’ve all heard and been told, more times than we can count, that there are only two emotions… love and fear. Personally, I see love as unconditional love and fear as Ego-based fear and doubt. Unconditional love is filled with harmony, joy, bliss, happiness, peace, health, prosperity and abundance.

“I will be with you always, no matter what!” is the promise that was made and sealed in love. Obeying the law of the realm, the memory hid. And not until the moment of despair, the promise was remembered and I was realized.

Which side are you on? Do you know where you stand? Find out in this Christmas icebreaker where the youth move back and forth to opposite sides of the room depending on their preference of the two choices you call out.

ON THE FIFTH day of Christmas my True Love sent to me five golden rings. All linked together, five golden rings, complete and unbroken, signify a plan – the most important plan – the fundamental plan to vouchsafe creation from the grip of an enemy God knew about from before the beginning. These five golden rings are crucial states and transitions in the history of the world: creation itself; the fall; God’s covenant people; the Advent of the Messiah; the blessed people of the new covenant.

ON THE SIXTH day of Christmas my True Love sent to me six geese a-laying. Geese a-laying brings up images of work and of production. The ultimate work of production was the creation of the world in six days. Only having finished creation – perfect in intent and manifestation – would God rest. And there’s no gift like creation, because creation subsumes all gifts.

I have the best job in the world. My job description is basically this: love other people. Whether I am working with Hospice families, coaching private clients or writing books, my purpose to love others remains the same.