Seth and Christmas

[jbseth]

Hi All,

I came across this message from Seth recently in The Early Sessions, Book 5, Session 213, pages 103, 105 and 106. Given that it's Christmas time, I thought I'd share this with the group.


"There were a few remarks that I intended to make concerning the Christmas season, and perhaps I shall make them now.

If it seems to you that there is a great gap existing within Christianity, between ideals expressed, and actions, then let me tell you that conditions would indeed be far worse if these ideals had not initially been expressed, and if they were not yearly reaffirmed.

As you both suppose, enough constructive psychic energy is generated during the holiday season to recharge the psychic batteries, so to speak, for quite some time. Were it not for this your whole race would be in much more serious a predicament.

One of the reasons, Joseph, for your own lack of festive spirit in the past has been the result of your realization that this gap between idealism and action is great. You could not therefore enter into what you felt to be the hypocrisy of the season. All the more since you have no particular conviction, anymore than Ruburt has, concerning the historic existence of Christ.

To some extent I have explored some of this, but it will do you well to join wholeheartedly into the very necessary spirit of the time, for it is constructive and most beneficial. And in so doing you help yourself and others.

Now. There was historic Virgin Birth, and no historic Crucifixion. This does not mean that these do not represent symbolic realities."



"This feeling that Christmas represents hypocrisy has been one of the main reasons for you own low spirits during this season, for it represented a rather deep disillusionment with the culture in which you were nurtured.

(Jane's eyes now opened, and for the rest of the delivery they opened and shut often.)

The legend of Christ is of great psychic import, however, and is intrinsically true. This does not mean it is based in historical fact. In many ways it is more true than historic fact, for man himself created that which had not been provided. The creation nevertheless happened in quite real terms, and is part of mankind's inner recognition of the pyramid gestalts of which I have spoken.

This was as close as man could come in his imagination to that which is, and this is all right. The basic idea behind Christmas is definitely important, whether or not the intellect is able to see its significance.

Now. Psychologically alone this is beneficial, for it acts against those feelings of despair that can creep up during the winter season. And by reminding men of a birth and a resurrection it hints at the innate abilities of the race to transcend physical time and space.

The getting out of oneself that is involved is excellent therapy, and therapy that does others good, as well as the self involved. There is much more here, however. Culturally speaking, there is a strong connection with pagan intuitions, deep and meaningful, that found newer and broader expressions.

The character of Christ as it is portrayed is an excellent one, since it stressed human rather than specifically male qualities. Or should I say it stressed human qualities rather than those unfortunately considered male qualities. It stressed the best qualities of the race as a whole.

The personality of Christ is an idealization, and a clue to the entity of which each individual personality is composed. And as far as prayer is concerned, though I realize that neither of you pray in those terms, someone does indeed listen. The self who prays listens, and makes necessary adjustments and improvements. For the individual is part of All That Is, and therefore partakes of the abilities of the psychic gestalts of which we have so sketchily spoken."

[jbseth]

Hi All,

There is a typo here,

The sentence that says,  "Now. There was historic Virgin Birth, and no historic Crucifixion. This does not mean that these do not represent symbolic realities."


should instead say this instead:  (Note: the bold "no" is mine, for emphasis, and not Seth's)

"Now. There was no historic Virgin Birth, and no historic Crucifixion. This does not mean that these do not represent symbolic realities."

[LenKop]

Nice save jb 


I find it interesting, coming from the southern hemisphere, that Xmas 'acts against the feelings of despair that can creep up during the winter season'. i wonder why I chose to experience it in Summer?


Anyway...I like Xmas. I have two young children. And there's magic in the air when the presents are found under the tree in the morning, and their faces light up. And all is good in the world, and everything is possible.


Len

[gitam2]

Thanks for the Seth "Christmas Card". Gifts sometimes come in unexpected packages.
What I got from your post is that I have a tendency to focus on the materialism of the time and the hype, which is really negative thinking. This post helps me to see that there are a lot of positive vibes during this time as well and that I can and will choose to focus on them and wish people a joyous and happy holiday season. Seth always has a deep perspective on things, in my experience, and his view, briefly stated here, is helpful to me as usual, to see the bigger picture. 
Rick