Eric Butterworth Speaks: Essays on Abundant Living #121
Delivered by Eric Butterworth on December 24, 1975
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Well, this is the day before Christmas. Whatever that means to you, certainly we all well know that it is around us. Christmas is in the air, and for many of us it means special envolvements, perhaps nostalgic feelings. Perhaps in a way it carries with it a contagion that is irresistable—maybe you fee it; mayber you are receptive to it.
Somehow, the feeling is wonderful to me ... it is life-giving. It always elevates me above the petty things that annoy, and gives me a whole new perspective on life. It can lift me into a realm of gladness where I can share with all those who cross my path, and I experience a tremendous desire to give and share. The very air of expectancy, not only of receiving gifts, but of joy and peace, the peace on earth, the good will to men, seem to saturate me. Perhaps, I am a little naive, but Christmas always does this to me.
This is probably a busy day for many of you, but it is a day I think especially that we should keep poised and calm and unhurried and unworried. There may seem to be a press of affairs around you; there may seem to be so much to do and so little time to do it. Perhaps there will be great demands on your time and energy, but even so take time to pause and remind yourself that you are a part of the divine flow. You help yourself find peace in the midsts of turmoil by saying to yourself over and over, “God first!” When you have that acknowledgement of the the divine flow and give it first place in your thoughts and affairs, other things will fall into their right order, and you can distribute your time and effort and energy properly. Then you can go about your affairs calmly doing the things you need to do in the order of their importance or urgency.
So begin the day with the thought, “God is directing my steps, and blessing my affairs.” With such a realization you are less likely to be upset if plans are changed, if interruptions come when you are busy, if you are called upon to do something unexpected. Be open and receptive to the divine flow of guidance, hour by hour, moment by moment. Plan the days activities with wisdom and good judgement doing the work at hand the best that you are capable, remembering that the divine potential in you is greater than anything you can know in the human heart. If you keep open and receptive and responsive to this divine flow, you will find effectiveness and harmony and peace attend all of your efforts. No matter what happens today, be determined that nothing can affect or annoy or disturb you.
Tomorrow we celebrate the birth of a child born some two thousand years ago. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem symbolizes actually the reawakening of the divine level of the Christ in the hearts of all persons. Just what is this birth of Christ in the heart of man? Does it really have practical value in the lives of the average person today? Is it just something imaginary, or is it something real and productive of some good? How does it come about? Can we promote it ourselves, or is it entirely in the hands of God? These are just a few questions that arise in the minds of many persons observing the Christmas activity.
It is so easy to get lost in the materialism of all of this, to cry out with Scrooge, “Humbug!” But is is a very meaningful and beautiful process when we get into its flow. This matter of recognizing the Christ within us is the most glorious thing we can possibly experience. It brings with it the necessary equipment and understanding to solve every problem known to man. The law is such that we are what we think we are. As long as we continue to think of ourselves as puny little creatures cast about on the rocks of circumstances, that is precisely what we shall experience. On the other hand, we can begin at any time to show our true identity, and this recognition will bring about that rebirth that Jesus referred to when he told Nichodemus, “You must be born anew.”
This is a new awakening of a deeper dimension of ourselves, and this is what Christmas is all about, a recognition and understanding of the God-activity that is within us, the divine level, the Christ in us. Then Christmas practically happens. The recognition of our true identity must be accompanied by action of course before it can be of any practical benefit. As we begin to realize our oneness with God, we begin to act accordingly, so we have to conduct ourselves like true sons of God, which we really are. Before we can say with any effectiveness, ”I and the Father are one,” we must begin to get ourselves in tune with some of the divine attributes. We must love with God-love, think with God-wisdom, rule with God-power. No matter how chaotic our lives and affairs may seem to be, through our recognition of our oneness with God, through our sincere efforts to get into the flow, to be directed by this divine process within us, everything will begin to straighten out. As we begin to express more and more the divine attributes within us, disharmony becomes less and less apparent in our lives, and our problems seem to solve themselves.
Yes, I am sure that you may be busy today, but I say take care that you make it a joyously busy day instead of a hectic one. No matter how involved or preoccupied you may be, take some time to think about the true meaning of Christmas which is simply the true meaning of the deeper divine Christ self in your midst. Christmas or the observance of it was not meant to be done in noise and confusion, with frazzled, hurried, harried nerves, worn and tired bodies. So often we let our preparation for observing Christmas affect us in this way. When we do, we need to take time to stop right where we are, and think for a few moments about what it is all about anyway. Christmas should really proclaim the birth of the divine presence in the heart of all humanity, and we must take care to make sure that we are not involved in the material preparation that we forget entirely the real purpose of it all. We need to renew and refresh our bodies and minds by reviving the awareness of the goodness of God, of joy and peace, and of the opportunity to radiate these blessings that this Christ dimension brings to those around us. It is time for us to know, “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” Right now is the time to retake the measurement of our spiritual stature, and to remember that the birth of Christ signifies the rebirth of the Christ-mind in us and in those dear to us.
So on this Christmas eve, the day before Christmas, may I wish you the happiest Christmas experience you have ever had, and may you move smoothly and easily through the planning and preparation, may you be free from feelings of burden or pressure, may you accomplish on time and in order all that needs to be done,and may you accomplish this with a great spirit of love and good will. May this be the happiest Christmas that you have ever known because you have come to know and understand what it all means, and what the Christ in yourself means, and what it means to have this divine level of you reborn as love in your heart, peace in your soul, wisdom in your life, life and health in your body, and substance and plenty in all your affairs. May this be the most peaceful Christmas you have ever experienced, and may you know this peace because behind every act, word, and thought will be the loving, peaceful presence of the Christ-dimension of yourself, your Christ spirit. May peace flow through you to bless you in mind and body, to bless all your affairs, and to bless your loved ones, to bless your home and to bless all that you come in contact with, and may you be filled with a strong consciousness of the peace of the Christ depth within you. May you feel rested and refreshed all through the day, all through tomorrow. May this be the richest Christmas of your life, rich not only in the outer things that mean Christmas, but rich in the quiet things that give Christmas its character, rich in warmth and friendliness and understanding. And we bless you that tonight as you talk to your loved ones and wish them a merry Christmas that it will come out of a merry heart, out of a fulfilled consciousness, out of the radiant expression of the Christ reborn in you. Merry Christmas.
© 1975, by Eric Butterworth
