What the Advent Story means to me

[_just me]

During my time as a believing orthodox Mormon the Advent story always was taken literally by me and that was how I applied it to my life.

A couple of years ago, as I was studying the scriptures deeply, I was given a new understanding of the Advent. It was one of those experiences that I can still remember clearly. I know exactly where I was and how it felt. It was truly like having my mind open up and ideas spring forth that I had never thought of before. So profound was my experience I made sure to record my thoughts in the spiritual journal I had at the time.

At this particular time in my journey I was beginning to see that the scriptures were not to be taken literally. At the same time, I was believing the more symbolic parts in a more literal way. I was reading books by Elaine Pagels on gnostic interpretations of the New Testament and a blog that was hyper-literal. This was around the time I had a born again experience and still considered myself some sort of Christian. Even if only symbolically. I'm pretty sure I still believed in a literal God of some kind, but more of an "in, around and through all things" type of God (a concept that I still rather like).

So that is the background.

While I was pondering the scriptures and how they are really about each of us as individuals I would try to interpret scripture stories in that context. With me as the character. This may have been partly from my Mormon upbringing, but early on in my mental wrestling I decided that the scriptures were not about "us" and "them/other" but that it was just about us. The reader(s) is the only person that it is about.

Mostly, I see the ideas given me as things to meditate or ponder on. It's not some big story, just snippets of idea. Oh, and no, I don't think I am special or the first one to come up with this. As a matter of fact, shortly after thinking these thoughts I read similar from someone else and I was very likely influenced by other writings. I actually think it makes it better that I am not the only one to have thought this interpretation.

*****

I am Mary (and so are you). Mary has God within her. God is within me.

Mary must take a journey. We all have our own journey to take. Each journey is individual. Jerusalem was the center place. Our heart is the center place for our journey. That is where we are headed.

No room in the inn. The inn was crowded with people, full and noisy. The Christ cannot be born here. It is a solitary experience.

The manger is a humble place. It isn't perfect. It represents an open heart.

The virgin birth represents a spiritual birth. It is not a work of the flesh. It is done on our own (no other person is needed).

*****

I believe that the symbolism of Christ (or Christ consciousness) can be helpful and beneficial to people. I think that Christ can be born (or come again) through each of us. When we tap into that place within us where compassion, charity and love spring forth and share that with the world, with others, that is when Christ is born. Realizing that God was within me rather than something outside of myself was one of the most beautiful and profound realizations of my life.

That, to me, is the true meaning of Christ.

[_zeezrom]

Love it, Just Me. Thanks.

While I can't put myself into Mary, I do feel Mary as Mother. She speaks to the child in me. Hard to explain and surely sounds rediculous coming through an Internet post.

[_just me]

Love it, Just Me. Thanks.

While I can't put myself into Mary, I do feel Mary as Mother. She speaks to the child in me. Hard to explain and surely sounds ridiculous coming through an Internet post.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Zee. I've let 2 Christmases pass without sharing it and knew I couldn't let happen again.

I don't think it is silly at all. I love the concept of Mary as Mother or Goddess (or both).

[_Blixa]

This was wonderful justme! I really like what you did with scripture as narrative, especially the way you worked out a theory of reader-centered interpretation.

[_just me]

Thank you Blixa!

[_Morley]

I liked your interpretation, JustMe. I'll try to remember your version when I grow impatient with 'yet another' nativity dramatization.