Preparing for a Soulful Christmas

With Christmas rapidly approaching, it’s a good idea to take some time to think about what Christmas means for us.

For many, Christmas is a time of reflection, sharing and love.

It’s the time of year when we go to extra lengths to show those we love just how much they mean to us.

So spending some time connecting with and being moved by our soul, as well as reflecting on the spiritual aspects of Christmas, is a wonderful place to begin.

But what does it actually mean to connect with our soul and the spiritual aspects of Christmas?

It’s all about connecting with our true Selves

Connecting with our soul simply means tuning into and being motivated from the eternal place within us.

That part of us that’s never changing and always free.

The part of us which understands holiness.

When we’re connected to this place within, we naturally resonate with and gravitate to the deeper meaning held within all experiences.

And being in this soulful state makes us want to connect with the essence of each experience’s meaning.

It’s spiritual meaning.

From this place, we find ourselves wanting to delve more deeply into the history behind the great traditions we’ve been taught, to find out where they began and why.

And so we look to understand the true beauty and essence of the Christmas story and its associated traditions — if we’re to take a spiritual approach to Christmas.

Some simple questions we can begin asking ourselves to assist us in this are:

‘Do I understand how this tradition began?’

‘Is there a way of making it relevant in my life today?’

‘Do I embody the message of love and generosity depicted in the various Christmas stories and traditions?’

‘Am I fully present for those around me?’

‘Are my heart and mind one?’

‘Do I have harmony within?’

By reflecting on questions such as these, we reach deeply into ourselves, connecting with our soul and our conscience.

With an active conscience we move away from habitual behaviour and into conscious awareness.

Every activity we engage in is preceded by a decision-making process, rather than simply doing something just because that’s the way it’s always been done.

We then create for ourselves, and for those around us, a spiritual, soulful experience.

And not just because it’s Christmas, but because this is how meaning can be found.

We’re rewarded with many beautiful and surprising moments of Love, Generosity and Harmony.

‘Next thing you know they’ll be wanting to put religion into Christmas!’

Strange how people can say something like this.

How could Christmas be anything else?

The early Christians created this holy day to commemorate Christ’s birth.

Yet it would seem there are many people who don’t understand this and think that Christmas and religion are not intrinsically entwined.

If people choose to share in the Christmas experience without looking more deeply into its significance, then it’s likely to become a futile and fruitless experience devoid of any real meaning.

And for many that’s exactly what it has become.

Just another tradition blindly followed because that’s what’s always been done.

No reflection.

No holiness.

No sacredness.

No Soul.

By putting no thought behind their motivation, some people mindlessly go through the motions of traditions, with no real understanding of what they represent or even how they began.

The result is a rejection of the spiritual elements of the holiday (holy day), and ultimately — as we’re seeing more and more — a rejection of Christ’s Mass (Christ’s holy gathering) altogether!

But if we do want a spiritual Christmas, we can acknowledge its traditions and find within each one a soulful emphasis and intent.

By not doing so, it’s easy to allow ourselves to get caught up in the material aspects of the preparations and festivities, while losing the true meaning entirely.

We may experience some pleasing and frivolous moments, but in the end what’s more likely is that we’ll be left feeling empty and melancholy.

Stay conscious of the Soul and hold true to Christmas

The celebrations we share at work, with family and with friends, as well as the warm summer atmosphere, can leave us with little or no time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

It’s up to us to take some time to think about what it is we are actually doing when we come together.

At this very significant time of year, we celebrate the birth of Christ and are reminded of the miracle of great Love within all the Christmas stories and their many traditions.

Wouldn’t it be worth taking a moment to remember and reflect on the actual meaning behind this very important celebration while making your preparations for Christmas this year?

By taking some time to reflect on what Christmas really signifies, the whole season is imbued with a soul-filled spirit of love and sacredness.

Each gathering we attend becomes an opportunity to share love and understanding.

Every gift we give can be given in the spirit of true appreciation for the presence of each person in our life.

Christmas, then, becomes a foundation for our spirituality and soul-awareness to flourish as we share what we have learned through the message of Christ.

Even Santa can contribute a wonderful spiritual message of generosity and kindness when we remember his true origins; the wonderful St Nicholas.

With graciousness, sacredness and holiness in our hearts and minds, we can create an atmosphere of deep love and appreciation for everyone we encounter this Christmas.

So if you’ve felt your previous Christmases have seemed soulless and lacking in purpose, this blessing is my Christmas wish for you:

With all my love
Karen x

Image credit: Jeff Weese