As we rapidly head into the celebrations of Solstice, Chanukah, Kwanza, Christmas, etc. The song of my childhood, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," keeps floating through my head like a large sugarplum. So, I find myself analyzing the words:
"You better watch out."
It is better, important to watch out, to be aware, to look out beyond yourself. --
"You better not cry --
Better not pout, --
I'm telling you why --
Santa Claus is coming to town."
If you're looking out, not pouting and crying, life is better. You are able to appreciate your gifts and so be aware, looking out, being thankful for what you have, not focusing on what you lack, you'll be open and able to receive when the giver of gifts arrives.
"He's making a list, --
And checking it twice; --
Gonna find out
Who's naughty or nice. --
Santa Claus is coming to town."
Well of course, the "He," is a figure of speech since Santa is one of "God in God's immanence," names. And since it is referring to a being of omniscient immanence it would be really "He," or "She," depending on if the Indwelling Being-ness is within a male or female. It is that Being within, that Jiminy Cricket, small inner being of conscience that always knows if we are being "naughty" or "nice."
"He sees you when you're sleeping."
Of course, it's God's immanence. --
"He knows when you're awake,"
Ditto. And a reminder of how it is best to be aware, to be listening, paying attention to our still small voice. --
"He knows if you've been bad or good."
Again, we have a rephrasing of the function of existing God within us, that inner awareness, which if we're truly awake always knows if we've been bad or good.
"So be good for goodness sake!" --
Here is the clincher: We're not told to be good because we'll go to Heaven or Hell. We're not warned that if we're not good a big hand will come down and punish us or put coal in our stocking, we're admonished to be "good for goodness sake."
We're asked to be good just for itself, just for the sake of goodness. We are told that when we listen, when we are aware of our Indwelling Divine voice and we choose to be good, life will be better. We will be creating goodness in our lives and in the lives of others and so we will be able to receive the gifts of this and any season.
So, may we all find goodness in the return of the light. May we experience gratitude even in these darkest days, even if it is simply the gratitude for the gift of one more breath. May we know and be awake to our connection to all that lives, to "All our relations," as the American Indians say, to the ONE.
And may we give and receive those greatest gifts of connection, hope, peace, joy, and love both at this season and for always.
flickr image By kokoloveguam
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