“Happy day!” someone called out to me this morning. It was a cheerful expression of goodwill, yet an unusual phrase. That alerted my mind to the fact that it is the 25th day of December: the official birthday of Jesus. I say “official” because I suspect it is rather like the Queen’s birthday, not his actual birthday at all.
Still, this day is a little reminder of Jesus, whose life has had an impact on huge numbers of people over the last couple of millennia. Not all that impact has been for the better, in my opinion. However, we can’t blame Jesus for that: He would be turning in his grave if he could see some of the things that have been done in his name. Of course, he opted not to stay in his grave, so I guess the question of turning doesn’t arise.
If you are wondering what my beliefs about Jesus are, they are these. To me, Jesus was one of many enlightened spiritual teachers, a master. For sure he was a son of god but then so are we all, so that is no great claim. Like any of the masters, his teachings can help us to return to the essence of our being, to our divinity, to the godliness within us. Are his teachings and energy the only path to god? No, far from it. There are as many paths as there are people.
What about the miracles performed by Jesus? My guess is that they didn’t happen at all. If they did, then my estimation of Jesus would have to drop several degrees. To go around doing things that other people are going to regard as miracles is complete folly. It is just showing off. It is bound to create a great gulf between one and others. That apparent gulf has helped to keep millions or even billions of people in their state of miserable ignorance of their true nature. Again though, I don’t hold Jesus responsible for this. Those that came after him were probably the ones who created that gulf.
Ah, don’t get me started on religion!
Happy birthday Jesus!
