And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the
inn. Luke 2:7
Behold, the holiday season is upon us. It is a time of year that can elicit a host of feelings. Many 
are overcome with gratitude and joy as they gather with loved ones and friends and feast on a bounty of delectables and toast to the coming year with great cheer. For some, feelings of sadness, grief, despair, and/or loneliness may arise as they face a healing challenge, cope with the physical loss of a loved one, or confront an “empty home” during this time of year. We as a community have experienced the loss of several loved ones and have stood as Love with many of our brothers and sisters who have been faced with the experience of dis-ease this past year. Let us continue to live with open hearts and also find room at our “inns” for those who welcome our support and our hospitality.
Whatever emotions are stirring within you this season, I invite you to remember that all experiences are meant for your highest good as painful as life may seem at times. One can only come to see and know this if he/she is willing to have a shift in consciousness. Let us take a closer look at what it symbolically means to find a place in the inn. Metaphysically speaking the birth of Jesus represents the birth of the awareness of our Christ or Divine Nature. This awakening takes place every time you realize that although you have been given birth to in human form, the manger, you are the embodiment of the Divine. This realization can only be brought into life by entering your upper room in consciousness where within the inn you overcome the world, the human domesticated sense of self.
All experiences characterized with pain and suffering are opportunities for you to see where you have bought into the illusion that you are your experiences and are a separate limited human being. All life events are ripe with the opportunity to return home to the Truth of who you really are. Advent Season, the four weeks prior to Christmas, is a time to reflect on and give expression to our Divine qualities of Faith, Love, Peace and Joy. When we do, we find room at the inn for the Christ to be born as us.
You are the embodiment of Divine Faith when you look beyond the craziness being played out politically in the US as a sign of new possibilities of hope and cooperation wanting to be birthed as the old paradigm of a “me” consciousness begins to collapse. You are Faith in expression when you can hear a diagnosis of an illness and see Wholeness. You are the embodiment of Love when you are gentle and nurturing to yourself during a challenging time, yet instead of contracting you choose to radiate mercy and compassion to others. You are the embodiment of Peace when you choose to listen and look to understand instead of wanting to be right and prove a position, for you know that Peace begins within. You are the embodiment of Joy when you count your blessings and see the beauty that exists within you and all around you. Lastly, true Joy occurs when you show up as the radiant Christ light that you are, for nothing can bring greater joy. So, my dear friends I invite you to find room at the inn to give expression to your boldest, brightest Divine Essence of Faith, Love, Peace, and Joy and behold the majesty of the birth of the Christ child.
