Please Read These Words

My mother once told me that spelling Christmas “Xmas” was not appropriate.  I see it everywhere.  We live in an “inappropriate” world.  We are so fucking crass most of the time, how in the hell can Jesus live with us?  Spelling the name of his birthday Xmas is the least of our problems.  First of all, he died simply hoping his teachings of loving one another would live on.  He did not ask for holidays in his name.  And if he did, what most people do to celebrate the importance of  loving family, friends, and neighbors seems to miss the mark.

I hereby declare everyday is Xmas and Easter.  I’m not trying to alienate other faiths, but as a person raised Roman Catholic; these two holidays are like the Super Bowl and World Series of Christianity.  From what I know about Jesus, he was no fair weather good guy.  He was on people’s team sun up to sun down.  If we are to believe that he  suffered even half as much as Mel Gibson wanted him to suffer, let’s make some effort to expand the spirit of these holidays into everyday living. 

Jesus said to forgive.   He was the ultimate hippy in a time of great unrest, violence, and hypocricy among the supposedly pious and powerful.  Sound famaliar?  History just keeps on repeating itself.  We just keep on getting the signals mixed up.  IT IS WRITTEN  that the kingdom is in YOU.  There is a savior for you right where you sit, stand, and resides right in your shoes while you walk.  The biggest trick of modern times is getting people to believe that they are helpless without “Christ” in their heart.  Jesus–as in the man, the philosopher, the hippy, the rebel–passed words down in ways no different than other sages over time.  He was like any other person born with a desire to ask questions and search out the answers.  He would never claim to be the only person born advocating, and strategizing for greater peace among human beings.  The words written about Jesus describe a man who would never exploit another person’s ability to make choices.  Telling people “do this and believe this, or you will not be saved” is absolutely fucked.  If Jesus did talk about “The Father” or “God” he is only expressing what we all yearn for…  comfort, safety, someone to tell us where we came from, and that it will be O.K.  So if this notion can save you, great.  Jesus would never put that on me.  

Jesus knows there is so much more to know, and that the human paradise we are blessed to have is full of mystery.  The greatest mystery is that of choice.  We never fully know what will become of our choices.  We guess, project, consult, chart, experiment, etc.–and the human condition laughs at us in our fumbling attempts to explain trillions of molecules working together with a three letter word:  g-o-d…  What a crock.  I love Xmas, Easter Bunnies, rituals that celebrate goodness and harmony with all things mysterious and alive.  I even love god, or God, or anything that can bring people together without bringing in a planning committee that pits god vs. another god or gods.  I love the rock band King Missile.  I love that they sang a song about Jesus.  They simply wrote:  Jesus was way cool. 

 Merry Xmas.  Happy New Year.