What's a wanderer to do?

Anyone in the same boat?

All the discussion of what Christmas means has given me pause. Spiritually speaking, i've called myself a "Christian Mystic" in the past on these fora. The last couple of years have brought a few changes into my train of spiritual thought. I'm currently in the process of retooling my Christian beliefs with my studies on Buddhism. So what does one in my position do about a holiday devoted to the birth of Christ when they are questioning the likelihood of his deity?

I don't know. What I do know is that, despite my family's urging to stick with the Christian faith, questioning my faith is perfectly legitimate and should be expected if you have any faith at all. I don't know where it will lead. I don't claim to have all the answers. I listen less and less to people who do claim to have all the answers and insist I should "get with the program" before "it's too late". I can't imagine a God who would punish me for the time spent seeking answers to my questions, can you?

Even with all the pondering, this Christmas is the best i've had in a few years. My partner has made it so for several reasons, one of which is his understanding and tolerance of this particular stage of my journey. Thanks to him for that. :kiss:

Comments

Since when is this holiday devoted to the birth of Christ?? Go to Hallmark and see how many Jesus ornaments you find. Tis the season for capitalism. Don't get too hung up on the real meaning. It'll just make things less fun.

My money is on Buddhism. They're a much friendlier lot than Christians to us non-believers.
 
Mecurialbliss, this is a beautiful and deeply spiritual sharing and I thank you for it. It is beautiful, challenging and reflective of how, regardless of our spiritual beliefs, we are all companions on the journey towards our own inner truth.

If I may, I'd like to share some of the thoughts that come to my mind after reading this beautiful post? Okay...so I'm not giving you a choice. Grin. Vocal as I have been about my Christian faith, my own inner journey has had it's own times of doubt in all different ways and forms. I am grateful for those times because the times have doubt in my life have served to be a calling for me to decide on what I am able to accept and claim as my own inner truth as opposed to following blindly and finding myself losing sight of my sense of the "Divine" or whatever you may want to call it. This is a beautiful time in your life and I hope that you don't allow the beckoning of others toward Christianity to fill you with even more doubt or a sense of guilt for feeling otherwise. I believe that when it comes to it, the way that we choose to live our lives serves as a greater testament than the faith or religion that we claim.

The reason why I have found your sharing to be deeply moving and beautiful is that it's reflective of the Christmas story on so many levels:

For me, Christmas isn't about the deity of Jesus, but a story of birth. Whether he is part of the Trinity or not is besides the point to me during this joyful season. The writings about him reflect a deeply compassionate and loving being - they are writings of hope and joy. So for me, his birth is a time for celebration because in it I celebrate the gift of his life. This translates into my approach to this season as a celebration of life and the possibility that it bears. Is this not the place that yourself to be in? A quest for deeper understanding and belief, regardless of what religion that it may be, so that you too may find a deeper meaning to life and through doing so uncover greater possibilities to your life. This is exciting and filled with hope, and that's what this season is all about...at least for me.

The Christmas story conjures to mind the story of the Magi following a star and coming across the Christ child in a manger...yet though his beginnings are humble, they find themselves being humbled by his presence. You too have caught sight of a star and you are courageous enough to follow it. You do not know where it will lead you but something within your heart feels compelled to follow it. To not only journey through level plains, but rocky mountains as well...until you too find what you are searching for, and though it may not be earth shattering, it will be enough for you to be humbled by it.

Sadly you are surrounded by the questions and people trying to convince you to do otherwise, when in fact, you bear the Christmas story in your heart. You bear the true meaning to this season. You bear the hope of finding new life and a deeper understanding of where you are a called to be. Indeed, I believe that you HAVE gotten to the program, after all, your entry serves to be a bearer of good tidings - "Hope for all and peace for mankind".

Thank you for reminding me of the true meaning of Christmas.

I wish you and your family a time of peace, joy and fellowship and a very merry Christmas!
 
It doesn't matter to me whether I believe in the bible story of Jesus. Every culture has their own myths, and to me they are important and exist beyond their truth.

When I went into Notre Dame years ago and St. Patrick's this last week, I was impressed by the power of the faith of so many people to build such a beautiful piece of architecture. I feel the weight of all humanity, and that is a very spiritual experience for me. I don't know whether I'm feeling the presence of God, and I consider myself sort of Catholic to honor my ancestors, particularly my father. I have a strange relationship with God that I've been working out for years. It doesn't mean I can't appreciate the power of faith.

Chistmas for me isn't about Christ, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. To be honest, at this point I think Easter is a better holiday in our culture to do some serious reflecting on the meaning of Christ and Christiainity. Christmas to me is about family and brightening up some of the bleakest days of the year. It's a time that gives us a good reason to see friends and family. I get to buy things for my son and family and make things for them. The best thing I did this year was not worship Christ but to make my mom a Christmas tree for her hospital room.

I don't feel an inherent contradiction in my very tentative faith and my celebration of Christmas. In the end, all celebrations are about the people celebrating, even if it's to honor God.
 
As I have always said, all are free to practice as they believe. Rather than celebrate the holiday in honor of Jesus, celebrate it honoring the virtues of the season. Charity, love, hope, and joy.
 
"questioning my faith is perfectly legitimate and should be expected if you have any faith at all."

Actually you are completely wrong here. Faith is not about questioning; faith is about believing. Buddhism however embraces the questioning of ones existence instead of just accepting one singularly dogmatic answer. If I had to pick a religion, that'd be it. Instead I pick no religion at all...except maybe sex.
 
I understand and appreciate the issues raised in the OP. Having gone through some similar process, I arrived at Taoism. It has been a very good fit for me. Buddhism is quite interesting and, to my mind, fulfilling, as well.
 

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