The Inner Life

CHRISTMAS—the Christ Mass—is the ceremony celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ nineteen hundred years ago. It also has its personal significance for every individual soul, according to the extent to which the soul responds to the Spirit of Christmas.

What is the Spirit of Christmas? It can be only one thing—Selfless Love. Did you know that at every Christmas time Selfless Love is born in many hearts? It is the special and most auspicious time for Its birth.

Has It been born in your heart, dear reader? Do you feel It in your heart? Do you know what we mean?

What is Selfless Love? It is Something in you that makes you love and want to help others—no matter who they are; the more anyone needs help, the more you feel it. It is a living Something in your heart, an actual feeling there of Something always trying to get out and give of Itself. It is so alive and pressing that sometimes it almost hurts your heart.

What is this living, insistent Something we have called Selfless Love—the Spirit of Christmas? Why it is our Lord Jesus Christ dwelling in the heart (not the physical heart—it really means the soul); whether newly born as the Christ Child, crying for attention and care; or as a lusty, active boy, exuberantly bringing sunshine into the lives of all he meets; or as a strong, dominating, loving Presence ruling your life and influencing and blessing many others.

Again we ask, has He been born in your heart? Do you recognize Him there? Are you waiting upon, caring for Him, following His every suggestion, concerned only that you are doing what He wants you to do? If so, we know He is there, and so do you.

If you do not feel that kind, gentle, loving Presence within you—if you do not know He is there, but you wish He were there, just know He has not yet come to birth in your heart. But He is near, is deep within—some call it above, where you cannot yet feel Him; yet He is watching over you and preparing you for His advent, even as the life in the bud is preparing to open and unfold the blossom.

You who long for Him to come, get ready to welcome Him this Christmas time, by keeping mind and heart wide open to every leading of Selfless Love. Watch for Its voice and seek not to miss Its slightest whisper. He will not disappoint any such.

You who are already aware of Him within, who are waiting upon Him and desire to give Him full opportunity to express Himself this year, join with your Brothers in the Kingdom to make this Christmas the most blessed one that has ever been.

Let the Spirit of Christmas fill and bless the lives of everyone who reads these words, and of every loving soul, is our Prayer to Him this year.