My spiritual roots were planted in Christianity,
so this post is a reflection on Christmas from that perspective.

Christmas via Christianity actually includes many blended customs
from older traditions like Saturnalia,
Yule and many other unacknowledged sources.

A quick word about "tradition."

A "tradition" is a transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation.
It is an inherited, established, customary pattern of thought, action and behavior.
Christmas is one of the most tradition-rich times of year.

Maybe it's because I'm not a big fan of repetition, or because I need to understand
why I am doing something over and over, that I had to ask "WHY?"
If Christ is so central to Christmas that the name is inherent in the word,
WHY do so many non-related activities exist -- and even take over this time?

Why call a celebration one thing, and then do things that have nothing
to do with the essence of that celebration?

Why indoctrinate children with a big, fat lie...
and a high-dose of materialistic expectations via "The List"?

Two answers I found to these questions:

(1) The early Christian church plagiarized most of its foundation from
more ancient practices, especially Egyptian ones.

So, that's the first scrambling of things. And the second is...

(2) Retailers and consumerism hi-jacked the redeemable parts of Christmas,
and most folks and families in the modern world just play along.

So -- at best -- we are now twice removed from the
the original causes and sources of these festivities.

I am a creature who craves Meaning.

I accept Mystery when no Meaning presents itself.

And, sometimes, I am inspired to make my own New Meaning.

That's how the blessing below came to be. It is not religious, but experiential.

It's simple... if you choose to experience it, you will.

An anointing is spiritual power that enables. Empowers.

It is independent of your mood and your money.

It transcends the petty rules of institutions.

It is an intimate endowment -- cosmic and sublime.

It is a hot, bright fire-blaze, for ho-hum dreariness.

It's what your soul looks and longs for, but will never find on Amazon.com.

It patches pot-holes in your heart. It oils the crust and rust of daily life.

Don't make it tedious or technical. Engineered or elite. It's graceful.

Though It is the power of Life, it glides down like butter
on a hot biscuit, and can add strength to your ways and your days.

If you've been a bitter scallywag, a trifle, or general A-hole
in your dealings with people... if you've renounced every
rite and ritual this side of the Moon...
if you're hung up on how to relate to mysteries...
if you're unsure of what to anchor yourself in, or what to guide
your kids to anchor in... if you're skeptical about everything I've written here...

All I'm saying is that there is an unconquerable Sun that can enlighten our steps.