From the Chaplaincy

The Real Spirit of Christmas

I am sure everyone is eagerly anticipating the celebrations at Christmas time this year. Especially since we had so many restrictions during lockdowns that prevented us from being with our extended families as much as we would have liked.

Christmas time can be so busy, even hectic, especially if you are the one who is hosting a party with a lavish meal for many people. 

Buying the presents for family and friends can be fun but also stressful at times. There are bound to be crowds to conquer as we go shopping. Decisions must be made. Decorations need to be found and put up. There is wrapping to do. There are cards to write. Then on the day, there is the excitement and the flurry of activities like opening presents. 

Is there perhaps a chance that in all the busy-ness, the contemplation of what it all means may be sidelined?

Mary Baker Eddy loved Christmas and enjoyed the company of many friends and supporters. However, she wrote a short piece in 1905 that was published in an American magazine called the Ladies’ Home Journal:

‘Christmas to me is the reminder of God’s great gift – His spiritual idea, man and the universe – a gift which so transcends mortal, material, sensual giving that the merriment, mad ambition, rivalry and ritual of our common Christmas seem a human mockery in mimicry of the real worship of Christ’s coming.

I love to observe Christmas in quietude, humility, benevolence, charity, letting good will towards man, eloquent silence, prayer and praise express my conception of Truth’s appearing, 

The splendor of this nativity of Christ reveals infinite meanings and manifold blessings. Material gifts and pastimes tend to obliterate the spiritual idea in consciousness…

A word to the wise is sufficient. I wish you all a happy Christmas, a feast of Soul and a famine of sense.’

I thought about this especially back in 2004 when I was away from my own four adult children as I was on holiday with a friend in England. I had never been away from my extended family at Christmas before and it felt strange not rushing about getting everything ready for the big celebrations. Instead, I was with another big family in a farm in Devon, which is in the south of England. I did not know these people so even though they were kind to include me in their festivities, it felt very different. There were many children and mountains of presents, most of which were battery toys, so it was fun but also very noisy and somewhat chaotic.

My own friend announced that she was going to attend a midnight church service in a small, historic, local church. I asked if I could join her and that was fine by her. It was really cold and dark as we left around 11.30pm. It felt like it was going to snow. It sure was different from any Aussie Christmas I had ever experienced! We were a bit late as we entered the tiny edifice. Every pew was filled but people shuffled along to fit us in. It was very warm and cosy. The service was simple and very sincere. The minister spoke about the healings of Jesus Christ which really resonated with me. As I looked around, I felt like I was in the show “The Vicar of Dibley” as these were largely country folk who knew each other and expressed a lot of individual character. The service had lovely moments of quiet in-between singing, praying aloud and preaching. I have never forgotten the spiritual atmosphere there.

So, let’s remember the advice from Mary Baker Eddy to celebrate Christmas with quietness, humility, kindness, charity. Perhaps find even a few moments to be grateful for your family and friends, for your health, for your wonderful school, for goodness itself. 

That is the real spirit of Christmas. 

Robin Clarke

The Chaplaincy Team