Xmas Esoterica

Christmas: the Kingdom of Heaven

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:11, KJV)

If Easter is the core theology of Christianity, Christmas is its enchantment. Growing up I longed for a White Christmas, gazing hopefully at the sky, knowing full well it would never snow. And time, tantalizing time. A clear memory is a Christmas Eve, 1940s, Panama City, playing outside barefoot, short pants and no shirt, agonizing that bedtime would never come, Christmas Eve the longest day of the year, waiting for Santa Claus, Christmas dawn an eternity away,

By that time of childhood, Christmas was a season of dichotomy, reluctant knowing but choosing to believe anyway because faith is choice not knowledge and wisdom not folly, fearing that Santa knows and bypasses doubters, a stocking of coals and outer darkness awaits unbelievers. Besides which, forbidden to spill the beans to still innocent siblings.

O holy night when secular parallels hallowed, and sacred partners profane; when certitude yields to mystery, Santa comes to Bethlehem, myth is victorious, and Didymus recites the Creed. 

Christmas is esoteric, a magical, mythical medley of treasured memories, beloved stories and songs, sacred and secular stirred together. Shepherds and sleighs, elves and angels, evergreen trees and stables, swaddling cloths and magi, holy family in the creche and cookies and milk on the hearth, north pole and Bethlehem, babe in the manger and reindeer on the roof, bread and wine, Body and Blood. Stockings and pageants, carols, choirs and children.

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house ...

Christmas does not want sorting out. Jingle bells and Adeste fideles are not incompatible. We wish you a merry Christmas and God rest ye merry, gentlemen. Silent Night and Here comes Santa Claus. Hark, the herald angels sing and Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Childish things that were put away may be gotten out again.

Verily I say unto you, Except ye become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3 KJV)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed...

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