The Joy of the Present

During this Christmas season, many people will engage in the tradition of exchanging gifts with loved ones. Though our family no longer get caught up in the rapacious shopping frenzy of consumerism gone wild, we still find joy in this ritual of giving and receiving. In moderation, with conscious attention to assure gifting remains an activity of heart and generosity, it can enhance well being, and add sweetness to the holidays. Throw in holiday parties, delectable goodies, and special sacred  services, and we can find much comfort and joy during this Christmas season. However just as the birth story of Jesus was not all magic and a chorus of angels, our Christmas season celebrations can involve human foibles that can threaten our comfort and joy. During the holidays, many people feel the strain of expectations; from falling short of some imagined quota of giving enough, or receiving enough, to the emotional demands of family members  that can ascend to unattainable heights this time of year. It's as if the miraculous becomes the expectation. Despite expectations, not everyone seems to have room in the inn of their hearts to behave the way we would like. The people gathered round family celebrations may not bear any resemblance to the wise and generous magi from the East capable of showering us with adoration and fine gifts. And we may be disappointments to them, failing to appear as angels on high singing their praises from heaven above. When we hold rigid expectations for others behavior we set them up for failure, as we set up ourselves for disappointment. However, even though such expectations are unrealistic, the ideals behind them are worthy of our faith and our aim. We can go on expecting the best in others and ourselves as an ideal that may someday be realized. Yet, there is a deeper perspective available that can spare us from the disappointment when expectations are not met. Here it is: the best gift you have ever received, bar none; the gift that will never become obsolete, or wear out, or fail to satisfy your deepest desires and expectations for happiness. Jesus compared it to a pearl of great price. He told his disciples that it would not come with expectation; that it was at hand and in the midst of them. It would be the fulfillment of all their wanting, the satisfaction of their yearning for peace, love, joy and well being. He called it the Kingdom of Heaven. To obtain this gift, you don't have to stand in line at Costco, or fight the crowds at the mall, and delivery time is nil. It is here, within you and I, right now. No matter what you receive, or what you give, nor what they do or say this gift will not shrink from its infinite promise and ability to meet your deepest need. It's the gift of the Presence in this precious present moment. I know of no better antidote to the dismay of unmet expectations, be they the holiday variety, or otherwise, than to pause and remember. Take a conscious breath and come back to the present moment, and re-member who you are, and whose you are. Dropping the angst of expectations, will allow you to drop into the heart of Being, into the virtual lap of God's love. In this heavenly awareness, the miraculous becomes the obvious, Spirit attends to your re-birth, and all your wants disappear. Herein lies the possibility, the actuality, of a "Merry Christmas."