A conversation on a Christmas eve...

“The entire idea of Christmas, sharing gifts and camaraderie is a big money making spin. I have grown past it, man... I don't give gifts to anybody, and I accept gifts from none. How can we be so credulous to believe that charity, love and sharing practiced one day in year makes us any more ethical or moral ..."

He was a middle aged, black American, who joined us for dinner yesterday at a well-known Mexican place that we regularly patronize. The above remark was made in response to a greeting made by one of my friends (in all good faith, of course…). We looked at each other - puzzled. I said:

"John (name changed). Whats wrong in celebration? Even if it be for a day in a year. Though I agree in principle what you say, I certainly would not be so vehemently opposed to giving into the spirit of the moment and enjoy the atmosphere. After all, Human beings need an occasion to let-go; and this may be one such day. Anyways John, I think you are trying to be an Intellectual snob... You want to prove a deeper point than what is being said. Let’s hear it..."

He laughed aloud and so did the four of us on that table. There were families all around us talking, gesticulating, drinking, and eating with gay abandon. In the midst of this fun, he began (and I paraphrase).. "You know, you are right in way. I have a deeper agenda.. I find it hard to believe in the historicity of Jesus. Though I was raised as a catholic with all the paraphernalia that goes with it, I started getting more and more disillusioned with it as time went by. By Jove Man, there are four different accounts of the Bible, two different accounts of his birth; and add to all that the confusion in terminology: The virgin birth, Holy Ghost, the comingling of Trinity, the hundred splintered churches. There is too much of conflicting evidence for me to stand rooted in this faith anymore. My problem is not the celebration but the reason for it. Also, the Gnostic gospels unearthed in 1945 at Nag Hammadi and their interpretation seems to give a totally different bent to Christianity as practiced over the last 2000 years. I think I have been fooled into a system that was built on shaky grounds...."

Well, there was studied pause after this seemingly long monologue. The hot plate of Enchilada was beginning to get cold, and all of us ate in silence for a few minutes. I pursued the thread of conversation further:

“John, I wonder, why do we become so unbelieving as we get more educated? As a student of civilization, one of the striking characteristics that strikes my eye is the loss of simple wonder and awe that we possessed in earlier times. The fierce backlash of misinterpreting evolution and explosion of material science is this rather exaggerated importance of “being in control” and not giving into the mystery of life and world around us - Which incidentally was the case for hundreds of years: Birth, death, seasons, earth, and heavens - almost every aspect of life was venerated with a humble acceptance, until science and skepticism crept surreptiously to spoil the fun. We want “objective” truths now. Though almost every moment of our lives is dependent on blind belief, there is a small part of us called conscious thinking that craves for proofs and evidence? We believe that our heart is pumping blood, we believe that we will see the daylight tomorrow, we believe in the fidelity of our partners, we believe that this earth will sustain us eternally, we believe in an abstract thing called “society”, we believe in love, friendship, hate, jealousy and so many other things - but, yet, we find it inconvenient to disbelieve some things when we choose to. I agree that most of our religious traditions have down to us are myths; but myths have a very useful function in society, if understood correctly. They are pointers to a deeper aspect within ourselves. The Birth of Christ may not be a physical event at all, I don’t care, but the beautiful mystery of his virgin birth, the stars heralding his descent; the little baby in the manger; his subsequent tragic crucifixion on the cross - evoke and resonate with something primordial within me. And this is true off all religious symbols. You know John, the reason for us to dedicate a day in a year to commemorate this legend, this myth - if it pleases you- is to hope that altleast some of us will realize the depth of these symbols and awaken to a newer dimension. For most of us, it may be a day of mechanical gift-sharing, fun and bonhomie; but if even a single individual is touched by the symbolism of these stories, the world is blessed. The Gnostic gospels only confirm this truth that Jesus had a far deeper message then what has been enshrined in official bible. So,all the more reason for educated men like you to participate in these communal celebrations; or at least, not show discontent, because hidden in these mythical shells are pearls that need to be unearthed and shared. It is not that we practice charity or love only this day, but this rather a gentle reminder of a forgotten or hidden bliss that needs to be tapped and made an integral part of our daily lives…” This is the meaning behind these festivities…Let’s keep it coming!!!!!!!!

Let me then, wish all my readers a great day of joy and awakening to the Christ in Jesus - the symbol of second birth, a non-physical transformation into deeper sense of “beingness”. Let’s cuddle this little baby of pure life in our hearts, and let his untrammeled bliss flow through all our relationships around us. To the millions who look upon this day with promise, hope and salvation, I join you in your prayers , gratitude and festivities…

God bless….