This holiday (holy day) is honored around the world, in many cultures, in many ways all designed to celebrate. Whether we see it as symbolic of the birth of Yeshua, the birth of Light, the birth of spiritual family, the beginning of forgiveness or simply an opportunity to love little children, it is all about sharing the Goodness within.
Just as we have confused ourselves with buying too much, eating and drinking too much, doing too much and somehow over-indulging in conflicting feelings of needing too much and giving too much, we have allowed the urgent commercial messages and our conforming beliefs to interfere with our joy and gratitude.
Perhaps we can stop just for a moment or two to be silent.
Perhaps we can remember only the Love we have for one another.
Perhaps we can share meaningful words of true appreciation .
Perhaps we can remember the real gift is in the giving.
Can we encourage ourselves to stop wishing for more?
Can we help our children say thanks for what they receive?
Can we be kind to one another with genuine gentleness and love?
Can we respect our own needs for rest and moments of peace?
Can we look around at those we love and truly value them?
Can we notice how much we have rather than what is missing?
Can we play games and listen to good music and enjoy our company?
Can we turn off the TV and video games and talk together?
Can we create, perhaps for the first time, a loving holiday without heavy drinking?
Can we share our positive feelings as though we might not ever have another chance?
Can we make a difference this holiday by demonstrating self discipline and real caring?
Can we be truly helpful to the ones who did the work and lend them a hand and lots of gratitude?
Family times usually have history, good, bad or mixed.
What was is gone and needs to be forgiven now.
When we start anew without old memories, we can design what we really want.
When we create new traditions, help people learn to expect and enjoy new opportunities to love.
Christmas for some is deeply sacred and meaningful spiritually.
Christmas for others is a time of family sharing and caring.
Christmas may be a time of giving to those who are less fortunate.
Christmas often is an opportunity to help children believe in Santa, the Spirit of giving anonymously.
Whatever this holiday means to you, give it your best. And be blessed.
Everyday is a special day of loving, giving and enjoying when you remember.
Know there is one Betty Lue who is loving you, now and always.
Everyday for me is Christmas, because I delight in the Love within us all.
Loving you,
Betty Lue
The Night Before Christmas
T'was the night before Christmas and all through the earth
Was the light of love shining, a holy new birth.
Forgiveness completed, all judgments aside,
My conscience was clear with no hint of pride.
My worries behind me (I'd put them to bed)
While visions so heavenly danced in my head.
The job and the family, all routine, a snap.
Unaware, I was into a spiritual nap.
When out of the calm, there arose such a clatter.
My life was unsettled. Now what was the matter.
Away from my habits I flew like a flash.
I threw off attachments, and then came the crash.
The feeling was alien, nothing the same.
I couldn't describe it or give it a name.
When what to my wondering eye should appear
But a blaze of white light, and coming so near,
With a little old angel so lively and quick
I knew in a moment, I was going to be sick.
More rapid than eagles his values they came
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
"More honesty, tolerance, gentleness, trust,
Faithful and generous, with patience a must.
To topple defenses and breach the fear wall
Now dash away, smash away, drop away all."
As just as the leaves in a hurricane swirl,
Or a dancer will leap or will jump or will twirl,
So up in the air all the pieces they flew
And I felt when I looked, I'd see everything new.
And then in a twinkling, I felt with a start,
The growing and glowing, expanding my heart.
As I came to my senses and was turning around
I saw in the mirror an image profound.
He was bathed in bright light from his head to his toe
(His clothes were quite common so no one would know)
The weight of the world had just dropped from his back
And he danced like a peddler devoid of his pack.
He moved and he walked with a sense of great ease.
His lack of self-judgment made him easy to please.
The smile of his mouth was the shape of a bow,
It would light up a crowd wherever he'd go.
His relative silence bespoke inner peace
Letting all in his presence experience release.
He had a bright face and a happy, strong laugh
Which touches the heart, cuts resistance in half.
He was loving and kind, a right jolly old elf
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a nod of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work.
He listened within (a somewhat strange quirk).
But touching his hand to the side of my face
We joined, became one, with no distance or space.
I knew in that moment just what my gift was
To love all of my brothers, with no "why" or "because".
And I'm here to exclaim, as I grow in Love's light,
Merry Christmas to all, it will turn out all right.
Adapted by Robert Waldon, 1988