Benjamin de Aguiar by the Spirit Eugênia.
(Benjamin Teixeira) – Eugênia, could you tell us anything about Christmas time?
(Spirit Eugênia) – I am going to reinforce some key points, some well-worn out (even here, on this website), and new ones:
We should remember that this is the symbolic celebration of Jesus’ birthday (*), therefore, the Christmas tradition of giving presents and exchanging “wishes of peace and happiness”, often done so mechanically, if not cynically, is not exactly what the Christ expects from us. Sincerely focusing on the spirit of harmony and fraternity, in all interpersonal relationships we entertain with others, must be a constant in this period, so that we get used to this pattern of conscience and extend it to the rest of the year.
On the other hand, Santa Claus was put in the place of Jesus, so that the collective unconscious renews the mistaken idea it made of the Greatest Master, in the course of centuries, linking him to guilt, castration, fear and bitterness. Thus, “Father Christmas” represents the amiability, serenity, optimism and the happiness that should permeate not only Christmas but every day of the year, as a mysterious representative of Jesus himself, who wants the bliss and fullness of His children, speaking to the “child” side of all of us – that is: spiritual and pure – (that’s why Santa Claus is a myth related to children and not to adults, who laugh of his pseudo-existence for the little ones). This way, we should, in spirit and truth, in purity of intentions, openness to the new and to forgiveness, be similar to the “simple and little ones”, as Jesus said, or we will not enter in the “Kingdom of Heaven”.
(BTA) – Is it spiritually wrong or anti-Christian to take part in the modern tradition of exchanging presents?
(SE) – Not at all, when such thing is done from the heart. Additionally, in certain cases, the gesture of giving a present already represents a conciliation or even a demonstration of caring. Not only, it is difficult to demonstrate affection and true intentions of reconciliation, as the simple fact of making the effort to buy a present for someone, remembering them and wishing to please them is already a strong indication that we have the intention to be kind with them.
(BTA) – Could you say something about charitable activities during Christmas, which some call hypocrite because they do not happen during the rest of the year?
(SE) – Observe attentively those who raise such arguments and you will see contumacious critics, with no moral ground to base their thesis. It is easy to point out flaws and to oppose any good initiative. Difficult is to do it better and be persistent in such enterprise. Only those who do it better have the right to judge and yet, always in the sense of presenting constructive criticisms and, even though, not suggestions that may lead to the abandonment of the good work, because, obviously, every good intention begins hesitantly, in time, consolidating itself; and only a fool would assume that someone could become an ace of sanctity in one day, that is, living Christmas 365 days a year, instead of starting slowly, with one day or some days a year, so that in the future, and very gradually, they can extend this action of love to the rest of the year.
(Dialogue held on December 19, 2004.)
(*)Jesus was not exactly born on December 25th. This date was used to celebrate the winter solstice (Northern Hemisphere), a very famous celebration in ancient times, which was “Christianized”, as to speak, in a kind of marketing plot and cultural and political manipulation of the early church, by linking the image of the “Sun god” to the image of Christ, diverting the attention of the masses from one to the other, until it completely overshadowed the first, to the point commoners were fully oblivious of the original meaning of the celebration, which has been happening for centuries.
(Medium’s note)