Virginia Street Swedenborgian Church

Newsletter - Christmas 2003

"Shopping for Peace"

 If your experience has been anything like mine, you probably do not look forward to Christmas shopping.  I know it's supposed to be a time of year filled with happiness and joy, but shopping can be stressful.  Not only do we put ourselves among crowds of frantically moving people, some of whom can be downright competitive, we may also carry an internal anxiety about our own Christmas list.  Did we remember everyone?  How much should we spend on each person?  What if they don't like what we give them?

It seems ironic that the holiday that most blatantly calls us to love the neighbor and to demonstrate peace should be one of the most nerve-wracking, anxiety-provoking events of our year.  It's easy to get caught up in the frenzy, but I've found a way to avoid the holiday craziness.  It involves centering prayer.

1. Before you venture out into the world, take a moment to deliberately relax.  Be aware of the tightness in your muscles and all the thoughts racing around in your head about what you have to get done.  Breathe slowly and deeply and find peace within yourself.

2. Once you have found peace and can sustain it, tell yourself that it is going to be hectic out there.  A lot of people are going to be driving a little foolishly.  The stores will likely be crowded and intense.  If this causes you to become tense again, stop yourself and reconnect with that peaceful feeling you lost.

3. Remind yourself that what you select for the people on your list is going to be well received.  More important than the quality of the material gift is the quality of the giving.  Every gift is beautiful when it is given from the heart.

4. When you feel ready, go shopping.  But shop peacefully.  When you begin to feel anxious about being in the chaos, stop what you are doing and consciously reconnect with peace.

 It sounds strange, but peaceful Christmas shopping is a bit like the martial arts.  We make a choice to undertake the task at hand calmly and focused.  If any setbacks are met, they are dealt with in a peaceful manner, without succumbing to panic or frustration.  We make a decision to sidestep the obstacles we find and meet our goal with a minimum of conflict.

It was that baby born in Bethlehem that made it possible for us to embrace a peaceful path.  The life and work of Jesus of Nazareth was dedicated to helping us overcome those little hells within that encourage us to give in to our frustration.  The Lord's love reminds us that every moment is an opportunity to express peace.  What better way to celebrate the birth of that wonderful person than by exercising the peace he worked so hard to establish in us?

Christmas may be many things to us and to our shopping-crazed culture, but above all it is a call to love each other.  I wish for you that you be led into a deeper love for having experienced it, and a peace that takes root in your spirit and carries you through not only shopping, but into the new year.

Have the Happiest of Holidays,

Eric