(Christmas)

It is not by festivity and fun that you can celebrate Christmas. Celebrate it rather by resolving to put into practice at least one of the ideals he enunciated, or by endeavouring to reach at least one of the goals he placed before man. Let me call upon you to give up, in memory of this holy day, two evils from your mind: self-praise and scandalising of others. Adopt one habit as yours: the habit of loving service to the distressed. If you spend all time and energy merely to pile up worldly comfort and sensual delight, you are disgracing this human existence.

You consider this habitation of yours as your body; no, it is the Temple of God. God resides therein. Keep it clean, fresh and fragrant through developing compassion and love. Christ’s birthday is when he is born in each person’s heart. It is only on that day that one is entitled to celebrate Christmas. (EL, p. 69)