tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3066767160570476566.post8249021908145734444..comments2024-01-15T02:13:27.540-08:00Comments on In Touch with Reality: Why Christmas?David Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06682614899300227713noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3066767160570476566.post-87989770966956375982018-12-08T12:02:18.564-08:002018-12-08T12:02:18.564-08:00I appreciate the clarity this message provides. A...I appreciate the clarity this message provides. As one who openly proclaimed love and devotion to Jesus Christ throughout my lifetime I went through a period of mourning as I gradually let go of my earlier interpretation of the patriarchal interpretation of God the Father and Jesus the Savior. Yet, as I have allowed myself to open up to a new awareness of what this means for me, I have discovered that I have not actually lost anything or anyone. The Presence I have loved since childhood is still with me, offering guidance, comfort, healing, forgiveness, and empowerment, as it always has. I have always recognized the Presence within everyone and everything around me, but now I have become part of a loving community that shares that understanding. Several years ago I was on a Christian history tour of Italy. The minister who was leading the tour asked us to identify the places where we felt the presence of God most strongly. He was referring to a concept coined by the professor of religion and author Marcus Borg. He was preparing to share a sermon on that topic of "thin places" when we returned to our home church. I had trouble with his question, because I felt it EVERYWHERE. I knew it as a presence that was in every face, every plant, every moment. It seemed so limiting to narrow it down to a few specific locations. I still love the beautiful traditions of Christmas, but to be honest, the metaphysical perspective on the story aligns better with archeological and historical evidence and has enriched my own celebration of this special time of year. Thank you for this illuminating blog, David. I look forward to hearing more in your sermon tomorrow. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com