Christmas Greetings

24th December 2007

Dear Friends

It is with some difficulty that I’m writing this letter as I’m going through a phase of depression and emotional instability. In spite of this, I can’t help not making contact with you at this time of the year as we celebrate the Christmas Season.

This is a time when we are more likely to question the meaning of Christmas at an individual level. As we commemorate the birth of Christ, this event challenges us (consciously or unconsciously) with a fundamental question: “What does it mean to me to be human?” – especially in contemporary society that is increasingly being characterised by materialism and consumerism. Intrinsically we are yearning for the transcendence, that is the belonging to a dimension bigger than ourselves, in Spiritual terms the Centre of our Being where the Soul resides.

At a cultural level, embedded in the message of Christmas are the notions of Joy, Peace and Love. There is a cultural/societal expectation to be ‘happy’. Anecdotal as well as scientific evidence suggest quite a somewhat different picture. In Australia, for example, during this time there are significant increases in crimes, alcohol and drug abuse, psychiatric conditions and suicides.

Experiences of loneliness and alienation are more likely to heighten. If we are migrants living in a hosting country these feelings come to the forefront as we yearn for the ‘homeland’. However, these feelings are not limited to migrants. Even those who are living in the country of birth are not immuned from such feelings at this time of the year. This is because the alienation goes beyond the geographical boundaries. Rather the alienation is in relation to our Self. Somehow, most likely we do not feel ‘at home’. Christmas poses us with the challenge to reconnect with that integral part of our self – the Divinity in us.

For me Christmas encompasses elements of Good Friday and Easter Sunday. As such, there are feelings of pain and suffering as I am still giving birth to a Renewed Spirit. Having said that, however I am also experiencing the Love, Peace and Joy even though for short moments. No matter how short these moments are I really cherish them. In spite of the difficult transition that I’m going through I feel optimistic and I’m sure it will pass away as part of my personal journey.

Christmas pageant

As Maltese living abroad, we brought with us traditional customs, values and beliefs that help us to sustain our Spirit. Last week, for example I attended a Christmas celebration at St. Peter Chanel in the Western suburbs of Melbourne. The Maltese Prayer Group under the direction of Martin Sultana held that celebration that was conducted in a very traditional manner. It included a lovely Christmas pageant (see photo above) and Maltese Christmas carols. The meaning of Christmas reached its climax at the end of the celebration as the last Christmas carol was sung. The deep connection between the members of the congregation was electrifying. It was a connection that was grounded in the core of our Being, the Seat of the Soul. This is a typical example of how the meaning of Christmas comes to life.

However, the meaning of Christmas can come to life through our everyday experiences, more specifically through interactions with the people and the environment around us – even in the simplest ways!

May the Spirit of Christmas
Help us to connect to the Centre of our Being
And experience the Love, Peace and Joy
That this Spirit is endowed with
May we be open and receptive to this Spirit
As we journey through life

Best wishes to you all

Love always

Dr. Victoria Borg