Embodying the light

Amongst the hustle and bustle it can be difficult to remember what Christmas is about. We’re bombarded with adverts depicting the latest gadgets, trends and delicious-looking food…all served to us with a backdrop of a snowy landscape, and sometimes a cute character or two to deliver the message. But when did we begin recognising this time of year as a time for merriment and why?

Whilst many of us from Christian backgrounds will be able to vividly recall our school days, when Christmas meant acting out the story of the birth of Jesus, as we’ve grown older and had the opportunity to explore for ourselves, we may have had the opportunity to delve deeper into this, or even let ourselves explore further afield into the alternative, or older traditions that used to (and sometimes still do) occur around this time of year.

The wonderful thing about being a Unitarian in a supportive congregation is experiencing the openness towards spiritual and religious exploration, and the willingness to recognise alternative view points and customs. This year, on the 17th we held a Christmas/Winter Solstice celebration, where we not only considered a Christian view of Christmas, but also a Pagan one. A theme that can be seen as prominent within both Christian and Pagan traditions is ‘light’. Whilst Jews celebrate Hannukah, often considered a ‘festival of light’ around December time, Protestants and Catholics celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, the ‘light of the world’ as we’re told in the Bible. So what about those who are Pagan?

Whilst the term ‘Pagan’ is more of a ‘blanket’ descriptor than a religion or specific spiritual pathway (usually used to describe spiritual/religious beliefs outside of the most recognised ‘main’ religions), many Pagans will choose to celebrate during this time of year, particularly those who follow an Earth-based practice. This is due to the Winter Solstice; a time when the sun (the ‘light’) is welcomed back to the world, as the days begin to grow longer again.

This idea of ‘light’ entering (or re-entering) the world during this time of year was seen in Pagan celebrations during the time Christianity was gaining popularity, with the Romans celebrating ‘Sol Invictus’ on the 25th December. Essentially, Sol Invictus was a celebration marking the ‘birth’ of the sun and honouring the Sun God. Scholars have questioned the possibility of the merging of these Pagan traditions with Christianity: two belief systems melding. This ‘melding’ can still be seen today, with other Pagan traditions (i.e. those belonging to Germanic and Nordic regions, such as hanging mistletoe, Yule logs etc.).

Whilst the origins of Christmas may be something that’s a little tricky to iron out, I believe there is a universal message within the shared theme of ‘light’: No matter what we call ourselves (Christian, Pagan, or otherwise) this time of year is about remembering what lights the way in the dark. With the world seemingly full of darkness at the moment, let us cherish the small sparks of hope that perforate this darkness, and ask ourselves how we can use this light within us to light the way for others. As a Unitarian, I love our symbol of the Flaming Chalice as to me it represents us as people; we have a flame within us that we can, through compassion, charity and willingness to share, ignite the spark within others.

Blessings and light to you all.

Written by Cardiff Unitarians member, Robin Rees.