Re-Posting My Thoughts On The Nativity

[Alan]

It has been approximately two years since I last posted in this forum. I remember having excellent conversations with several here, all of which allowed me to see a new view through different lenses.

 

One of my earlier posts included my views of the Nativity. I am posting it here again to generate continued conversation.

 

Peace to all - Alan

 

Original Post:

 

Because of the Christmas season, I have been thinking about the nativity scene and its meaning. I consider the Gospels to present beautiful, meaningful mythologies rather than literal stories. Thus, I have come up with the following thoughts and would love to hear from others their opinions on these ideas:

 

1. The birth story of Jesus actually portrays how the spirit of Jesus should be born within ourselves. The baby Jesus is a seed of light that radiants love and connection to God.

 

2. The lowly manger scene depicts that this seed of light can come into the life of all mankind, regardless of their status.

 

3. The animals represent our 'beastial' desires and emotions that must be subdued in the presence of this light to allow our spirituality to grow.

 

4. The sheppards represent our daily activities and work tasks that, again, must be subservient to our spirituality.

 

5. The magi (three wise men) represent the three aspects of who we are: the physical (our bodies), the psychical (our minds), and the spiritual (our souls/light), that seek to re-connect with the Jesus light (the Star in the East) to become whole again with God.

[jonnyb]

As far a the shepherds go, i've always heard that it was to show that Jesus is for all, regardless of status - as in your point no 2 - as shepherds were then considered the lowest in society.

 

Jonny

[Raven]

I'll add my own two cents - the fact that a "King" was born in a stable, rather than a castle, I think speaks to the potential for all of us to live in a Christ-like fashion, regardless of where/what we come from. The Kingdom is within all of us - not just the rich and powerful.

[Alan]

Raven,

 

Your statement, "The Kingdom is within all of us...", I think expands nicely upon my view of the Nativity. This biblical account, along with many others, speak deeply to me about the birth and life of Christ within my internal kingdom, that spiritual temple which I am erecting within myself.

 

- Alan

[glintofpewter]

 

3. The animals represent our 'beastial' desires and emotions that must be subdued in the presence of this light to allow our spirituality to grow.

 

4. The sheppards represent our daily activities and work tasks that, again, must be subservient to our spirituality.

 

Hourly I invite thoughts that arise within to leave because they will not lead me where I want to go. Sometimes it feels that I must be "subduing" these thoughts and emotions, but greeting the unwanted thought or inclination toward an addiction and then asking it to leave doesn't wear me out as much, and opening the door lets the air and light in.

 

Just a play on words but I think our spirituality makes our daily activities and work holy by lifting them up not by conquering them.

 

Dutch

[PaulS]

Alan,

 

I think whatever works for people and if they take meaning away from some event that asists them or provides them with a useful purpose, then all power to them.

 

Just being technical for a second though, there is no mention of three wise men in the bible - that is there is no mention of there being three of them as opposed to two or twenty.

 

Cheers

Paul