Writing in Snow

On the Last Motivational Monday in December 2017

Kamál (Perfection). 14 Masá’il (Questions) 174 B.E. - Monday, December 25, 2017

On the last motivational Monday in 2017

On the last motivational Monday in 2017, I contemplate 'Abdu'l-Baha's answer when he was ask about the way the teachings of Baha'u'llah differed from those of Christ. It is Christmas day, traditionally considered the birth day of His Holiness Jesus Christ. I am letting the argument of whether or not Christ was truly born in late December slide, because it doesn't matter when Christ was born. The important thing, which seems to be forgotten in this material age, is why He was born.

"The teachings are the same. It is the same foundation and the same temple. Truth is one, and without division. The teachings of Jesus are in a concentrated form. Men do not agree to this day as to the meaning of many of His sayings. His teachings are as a flower in the bud. Today, the bud is unfolding into flower! Baha’u’llah has expanded and fulfilled the teachings, and has applied them in detail to the whole world."

Abdu’l-Baha1

His Holiness Christ, like all the messengers sent for the Almighty, was born upon Earth to assist humanity in both its spiritual (the most important reason) and material development or advancement. Today, on December 25, 2017, I consider the reason for Christ's birth, and remember the Christmas celebrations of my childhood. Celebrations that were much less materialistic than those I witness today. As I ponder this day, I wonder, like Ms Palmer in her article what Jesus would think of the way His birthday is celebrated.

Footnotes
1  from Abdu’l-Baha in London, p. 92, quoted in "Merry Christmas—from a Baha’i" by Jaellayna Palmer http://bahaiteachings.org/merry-christmas-bahai.