The Urban Christmas Message

I spent most of last week trying to think of something to blog about. Nothing seemed to come to mind, although being brain dead didn't help much either.

I thought that with the holidays now upon us, I might give put together a Christmas message. I have a few other thoughts today, the North American Union, Government corruption, but I have no doubt that will all still be around after the New Year.

I stated a few months ago that I consider myself an agnostic mormon christian with deist influences. At this time of year, perhaps it might be handy to explain what I mean by that...

I get a little tired of religeious zealots who claim to speak for God, or use their faith to feel that somehow they are superior. If you're not sure what I mean by this, just go hang out at your local Deseret Book and enjoyed the arrangant pioty of many of the patrons.

I've come to realize that faith is a myth as is what we think religeon is. Faith and Religeon get people to fly planes into buildings and wipe out other cultures.

I don't know much, but I have somethings I know and some things I suspect. The things I suspect would appear to be inline with my experience in life.

I know there is a God out there who put our whole existence together. It couldn't have happened by chance. Each one of us here on earth were created by him and have within us the same potential.

He is not a vedinctive God who meddles in every aspect of our lives. We're in this situation to learn and he leaves us alone to do that.

A few weeks back I went to a display of nativity scenes at a local church. Interestingly enough, while all the scenes possessed the same basic message, each had cultural differences. I saw a white Jesus, a black Jesus, an eskimo Jesus and even a Japanese Jesus. Once of the biggest questions I got asked when I was a missionary in the black areas of Southern Africa was... Why is Jesus always shown as a white man?

Here's my thinking, and as I start, this is one of those things I suspect. The story of Jesus, is a story of a personal spiritual understanding within each of us. I won't describe at length my thoughts on this, but I don't think he is a being outside of ourselves who controls out lives and determines if we go to heaven or hell. Someone who reads this blog often refers to those who believe this, as those having an invisible friend. I share that skeptical view. Someone else I know talks about those that hear voices in their heads - That's actually a sign of schizophrenia!!

But I digress. In the Old Testament, the supreme being often refers to himself as the great "I am". So if I were to ask you, who is God, and/or who is Christ, I guess it would be correct to answer... "I am" Now that most of you want to stone me for blasphemy....

I think the story of Christ is a personal story. It is a story of something that happens within us. It cannot be decribed in words or anything like that. Accepting Christ is more that just saying something and living your life with an imaginary friend. It is a journey, it is a state of mind.

I believe in Christ. I believe in me. I believe that we all hold within us the power of God. I also believe that you have the right to believe whatever you would choose to believe.

So at this time of year for celebration and renewal, I would like the time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. For some it may be a chance to celebrate Kwanza, Channukah, the Winter Solstice or any other number of festivals. But when all is said and done, it's a time of celebrating who we are, and those around us, and the chance we have to become something better.

May you enjoy whatever way you choose to celebrate this season and do so surrounded by those you love and care about!