Christmas Consciousness

The following letter was written by Hanna Jacob Doumette, the founder of The Christian Institute. It is both an invitation and an engagement of the Christmas season. It is a reminder that Christmas deserves serious consideration, even—if not especially—in trying times. Let us reflect on it this year:

CHRISTMAS CONSCIOUSNESS

In the heart of silence the night is transferring unto itself the glory of the day. Behold the Christ Star in the horizon of mystery and peace. Behold, the midnight sun is risen with light regenerative, with beauty resplendent.

It is the Christmas consciousness.

Heaven is revealing its kingdom. Love and peace are animating the nature of man. The hills of Bethlehem are flooded with radiant beams of transcendent light. Behold the mystery of rebirth.

It is a new day, sublime, redeeming. It is the joyous day of Christmas consciousness.

Angels are singing earth's good tidings. Men and shepherds are witnessing the drama of His birth—a mystery sublime, exalted. It is the triumph of Christ, shown in Jesus. It is the day of humanity—a Christmas consciousness.

Heaven and earth are rejoicing. Good-will to all the people. Night and day together are speaking the eternal word. Angels and men are singing the melody of deliverance. Shepherds and sheep are gazing upwards. It is heaven on earth, the day of the Lord. It is the birth of Jesus translating evolution. It is Christmas consciousness.

A son is born unto us today. The Christ is made manifest in our nature. Behold, the star of Bethlehem is translated to a sun of an eternal morning. Behold, the Lord lives and moves in His people.

The world is enjoying Christmas—Truth—consciousness. Within its zodiacal signs, power is tempered with love, love intermingles with goodness, and goodness is translated to brotherhood. Within its orbit, life is rendered an art of helpful, noble and happy giving.

To His Name we give reverently. It is the gift of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, the Gift of spirit, mind and soul. Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men. Rejoice, it is a Christmas consciousness.

-HANNA JACOB DOUMETTE

Toy Drive 2018

Considering where we were earlier this month, Southern Californians have a lot to be thankful for this week. The Woolsey Fire, which burned more than 150 square miles across Los Angeles and Ventura counties and took three lives, is almost completely contained. Thousands of people who were forced to evacuate are able to return to their homes and start the long process of putting things back together.

From national cable news stations to local media outlets that were in the heart of the blaze, images of the fire and its aftermath are everywhere. At the fire's peak, more than 250,000 people were displaced. Now that it's nearly contained, the number of buildings destroyed stands at 1,500. Even if we've only seen the pictures, perhaps we can imagine the heartache and sense of loss some are experiencing right now.

Christmas is a time when we're called upon to spread joy, so that's when the Christian Institute holds its annual toy drive for local children in need. This year, there is plenty of need in communities like Thousand Oaks, Malibu and more, so we'll be coordinating with local fire departments to make sure we meet that need as best we can. Not everyone who lost a home is a homeowner, and some were forced to flee in cribs and car seats.

From Monday, Nov. 26 to Wednesday, Dec. 19, we'll be accepting new, unwrapped toys and games for babies, toddlers and children. If you plan to donate, please deposit toys in either the red or silver box in our community classroom. Wrapped toys will not be accepted.

Remember, we're far from the only place taking donations. Local chapters of the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Humane Society and United Way, as well as the Los Angeles County Fire Department Foundation, have all pledged to help, and time or money donated to them will go toward healing the region after the fire.

The holiday season is usually coming to an end when we start passing out presents, but this year, consider beginning the season with a gift—whether its time spent volunteering or a toy dropped off for a child who's lost a home. It might not seem like much in the wake of the fire, but being remembered at Christmas always means something.