Spirituality in a quiet Christmas
Although we are reaching Christmas time, many people are attending less social gatherings or none. It’s how 2021 continues to unfold even in the last days of the year. Whether you have to isolate or you are stepping back for other reasons, you can connect with humanity and the universe even when feeling alone. We are not all isolating. You may even just have calm times of pausing before or after seeing people if you can. However you experience Christmas, there are ways for spiritual expression and reflection.
Live streamed or recorded Christmas services and entertainment
You can experience the sounds of Christmas celebrations even if you need to be at home. This will look different for each of us, depending on our traditions.
If you are interested in religion at this time, there are lots ways to explore this. Look on Facebook, Youtube and Google to see which churches will celebrate Christmas online. They might publish recordings for those who miss the livestream too.
I am hoping to see a legitimate recording of Carols in the Domain because I missed the airing of the special. Fingers crossed. In the lead up to Christmas, I got to sneak in some festive themed Wiggles videos from Youtube. That’s life.
Be a part of the action from anywhere. Try to connect with people at least through social media. Write to the lovely leaders who organise these in-person and virtual events.
We can find a spiritual calm peace at Christmas time. Image: Unsplash.
Listen to Christmas music or spiritual sounds
Get those Christmas tunes playing through the home. Music is an affordable experiential way to transform the atmosphere and your mood. You can get 3 months free on an Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. There are plenty of Christmas playlists and albums from that service and more. Listen to the sounds that feel good - whether you prefer Mariah Carey or sound bowls. Uplift your self and others too.
Here is another idea. Make your own Christmas music if you can. Or even improvise by creating other musical sounds. It could be therapeutic. If you really do not play an instrument, (flexibly) encourage someone else to share their gift of sound.
Feel Christmas with music. Image: iStock/Getty
Practice a guided meditation or yoga
Connect with the divine by looking within and beyond during Christmas. I have been personally learning to connect with Christ through spiritual practice. My favourite guides are the Shekina Meditation Podcast and live/recorded yoga classes from Path of the Beloved.
See the other articles about resources for free meditation and 5 minute meditation. I linked to yoga and meditation resources in this article about health too.
Read about Christmas or spirituality
I’m going to mention the obvious book to read at Christmas time. The Bible. If you want something else, bring your focus to another book or audiobook. You could be religious, spiritual or philosophical. Read about meaning and purpose. Here is a link for a Kindle Unlimited free trial.
The spiritual practice of giving
Generosity is a beautiful part of spirituality. It is also commonly associated with Christmas. There are diverse ways to give time, things or money. We can connect with the greater good of humanity by contributing to individuals or groups. Help someone you know. Help people you never met. Someone could benefit from what you can share.
Give anything in this Christmas - your time, ability or even food. Generosity is powerful. Image: Unsplash.
If you know someone who has to isolate, check if they are allowed to receive homemade food. You could bring meals or groceries to the door. You could also offer to phone or video call with an (officially or unofficially) isolated person. People need people, especially now.
If you can visit the charity bins, donate food or clothes from around the home. I feel motivated to do this. A bunch of old clothes have been waiting to be donated for so long. I should just wander over to the shops and put them in the clothing bin.
I may as well mention the obvious way of giving too. There are charities and organisations that could benefit from monetary support. After the economic struggles of the pandemic, these services may need extra help. You could give to a spiritual or religious centre, women’s shelter, animal sanctuary or any group that helps a cause.
Express gratitude
Contemplate and express gratitude during Christmas. Although life has challenges in this era, we all have blessings. The most simple things are gifts - food, friends, even our breath. This could be the right time to start a gratitude journal.
Hopefully a grateful mindset could help those who are emotionally struggling at this time. Thought leaders are saying gratitude can help mental health.
Tell someone you are grateful for their presence. They could appreciate the intention even more in this season.
Be grateful for anything. Image: Unsplash.
More articles about Christmas
May you find spiritual peace in this Christmas time.
