I have been struggling with what to write about this Christmas; I have lately had more questions than answers; can I possibly offer any words of wisdom or advice?
As I often do at times like this, I went on a long trail run this morning. Trail runs are a meditation for me; I set an intention to be both empty and open, and allow myself to be enveloped by the beauty of the forest while I listen and look for what Spirit wants to tell or show me.
Today, as is usually the case when I am open enough, through Grace, I received my message.
The trails I run are also used by riders on horseback. It was sunrise, with no riders in sight, but the many hoof prints showed the way many horses had traveled. My run took me up a lone, barren hill, where the trail was a little dusty. I looked down, as I frequently do- and there, on the path, perfectly drawn in the soil, was a small peace symbol.
Before I even has a chance to question, I saw another, and another, and another. Sure enough, one right after the other. Peace symbols; perfectly drawn on the path in front of me.
It dawned on me, that these “peace symbols” were hoof prints; for some reason, the configuration of this particular horse’s hooves left the perfect mark of a peace symbol in the soil. There it was- a path of peace laid before me. A path to follow; step by step, up a long, solitary hill, on the top of which the sun shone.
Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Two thousand year ago, through his life and ministry, he did his best to demonstrate the path to peace for mankind. Because Jesus had come to live in the Light of God, to embody the Christ, he could clearly see what no one else could; that if we could each discover what he already experienced, mankind could experience the Love of God- Abba- and through this, with each other experience Heaven on Earth.
The Christ lives in each of us. Put what label on it you will; the Light of God, the Buddha, it doesn’t really matter; but Jesus knew that nascent in each of us exists the same indescribably beautiful light through which he saw the world and so profoundly touched those around him; and he devoted his life to showing us the way; so that we could find the same Light within us.
In each of us, if we become very quiet and listen, we can also hear the Christ call to us; showing us a path- to peace, and to Love, if we choose to follow.
Can you hear?
“Follow Me.”
Can we let go of our judgments and forgive; not just some people, but everyone, including ourselves, and especially those with whom we seek vengeance, for to find the path to peace one must find peace within, and judgments only serve to weigh us down on the journey.
We must let go of that which burdens us, for the path is steep at times.
“Follow Me.”
Can we recognize and release misidentification with, and attachment to, the physical world; for the world around us does not define us; we are all children of God, spiritual beings having a human experience, in this world but not of this world. In identifying who we are with having or not having wealth, possessions, or status we have forgotten that, in the eyes of God, we are all equal in the most unimaginably beautiful way. We can choose to realize and see the essence of God in ourselves and each other.
The path is narrow, and misidentifications make it very difficult to walk the path, because in our forgetting we become distracted and can become lost.
“Follow Me.”
Can we open our hearts to the Love of God which resides within, and through this realize the infinite well of Loving available to share with everyone. In this way we Love each other; not as an act of will but as an act of surrender. We surrender our petty defenses and realize the Love which has always resided there, and from this place share ourselves unconditionally with the world. From this place we Love everyone, even those we wanted to hate, and we especially Love the “least among us”, as Jesus said.
The path is only visible through the eyes of unconditional Love.
“Follow Me.”
“I have laid the path before you, don’t you see it? Step by step; up the hill, place your feet, one after the other, in the sandy soil. Release your burdens to lighten your load. Let go of attachments to keep your balance. Find the path in front with eyes of Love.”
“Follow Me.”
This Christmas season we have witnessed unimaginable violence, and we have also witnessed love and beauty and Grace. God has granted mankind free will, yet has planted His seed of Love in each of us, and provided the Path of Grace upon which we may walk. He has given us that choice, in every moment, in every step, to walk the Path of Peace, the Path of Grace, up the hill to our eventual salvation- the realization of His Divine Essence in ourselves, and the sharing of that with others.
Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Jesus saw the suffering of mankind, stood at the top of that hill, and saw the path to Grace- to Peace- He could see each and every step. And so He walked with and among us, doing his best to show us the path that was right in front of us, through his words and deeds; that the Kingdom of God was all around us and within us; and our first tentative steps had to be made in Faith and Love for a God we could not see, but could experience in all His wonder, if we so choose.
And the Christ within us still beckons us.
“Follow me. Step by Step. ”
May we all choose to follow the path of peace now and always, and through this to experience and share the Love of God, and together experience that for which God has created us; to experience His Light, His Love, His Glory, on Earth.
Blessings of Peace and Love to everyone on this Christmas.
An Instrument of Your Peace 
Peace and Love be there for you and us all through out this new year….. Lynne