In pre-modern Europe (and other places) there was a belief that a kind of magic attached to places and times. These times and places weren’t just the usual they were holy (set apart from the run of the mill), they had a different use. They were ‘blessed’.
Which is quite primitive and naive. Now we’d say that something in the time or place connected with something in ourself. (I would say ‘the magic is in the meeting’).
I had never experienced anything like this until I lived for a few months in Cairns in tropical Queensland, Australia. I have no way of conveying the feeling other than by saying that ‘the place felt spiritual’. If you think this sounds weird and just delusional I entirely understand – I would have felt the same before I’d had the experience.
Modern Times
Today we know that times and places don’t have ‘special powers’ – though this means it is hard for us to name things like my experience of Cairns. Our labels don’t easily fit.
I do think it is useful to us to set aside special times and places. “Shrines” as memorials to people and experiences.
- To times of transitions (graduation, marriage)
- To loved ones who have died
- To places where we had especially important experiences (a holiday or meeting with someone of significance).
Christmas
For Christians Christmas was one of the blessed times. A day that communicated its blessing to those who observed it.
What was the special blessing of Christmas?
- God giving freely to people. Underneath all the commercialisation (buried very deep under it) we still retain this sense of the blessing.
- Put in modern, secular terms: Life comes free! There is the possibility and joy and compassion, delight and pleasure. (Even though some of us don’t get to experience the possibility.)
What to do?
- Consider setting aside special times and places. Ideally ones that have meaning for you.
- To get back in touch with what you hold sacred – what lies at the core of who you are.
- If you have this possibility, take it up; there are way too many that don’t.
My Christmas message: life come free, take time to connect with what is sacred for you – those special times and places that bring you more life. Perhaps you will feel the desire to give to others too. Wishing you the blessing of Christmas, Evan.
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