[blockquote source=”Henry van Dyke”]Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weaknesses and loneliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and to ask yourself if you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear on their hearts; to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you; to make a grave for your ugly thoughts and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open? Are you willing to do these things for a day? Then you are ready to keep Christmas![/blockquote]

I’m often asked this time of year, if, as a Buddhist, I celebrate Christmas.

And, as much as I try to explain the basis of my beliefs, inevitably – it seems, I’m almost always met with blank stares.

A Buddhist celebrating Christmas?

(insert shocked and disbelieving gasp)

The truth is, I like the idea of sharing my love with the world – but that love, shouldn’t be limited to just one single day.

Love should be infused through our every thought and interaction…through each delicate subtlety that defines our existence as one human family.

And that love can’t be bought in a store.

You know, I’ve always felt it such an odd notion – that this world, could so clearly demonstrate its capacity for peace, yet not ever sustain it through the light of the next morning.

Even as a small child, I remember feeling so very conflicted – that something so beautiful was well within our reach, but the desire to keep it never stayed around very long.

In some ways, I believe we’ve lost the true meaning of Christmas – surrendered to an economic system grounded in greed.

And each year, it seems the system grows stronger – as we elbow and force our way through to the most perfect Christmas gift, and passing by those in need as we make our way to the car.

But, what if…the gift were love? Wouldn’t that make the very best Christmas gift of all? After all, love is free…never ‘out of stock’..and there’s no racing about to find it late on Christmas Eve.

Because, love is found always right here in our hearts…and let me just say this, my dears, it’s meant to be shared.

Through patience…kindness…understanding and compassion – through our reverence to this one human family.

And, I don’t know that you’ll find and of that wrapped under the tree…

So, in answer to the question, do I celebrate Christmas?

My dears, yes…and…every single day of the year.

I hope you won’t mind that I share one of my favorite stories:

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A Buddhist Christmas Story

Long ago, a young man experienced the greatest of blessings. At first, the gift of four magnificent farms from his father, and later to marry his childhood sweetheart. He celebrated his good fortune by building a beautiful house, with many rooms, and lots of servants.

As each of his children were born, the man raced out to buy only the very best of toys…showering them with gifts, until the rooms were so filled they couldn’t possibly hold any more.

And the children, would spend all the hours of the day playing alone in their nursery – contented by the colors and sizes of so many toys.

One day, a horrific fire broke out in the house – quickly engulfing the beautiful house in flames. The man frantically shouted to his family, “Run..run for your lives.”

But yet, the children stayed. They didn’t follow their parents to safety – rather, they remained inside…not wanting to leave their most wonderful toys.

Again the father shouted in panic, “Children…please hurry.” In this moment, he was begging for their lives.

A neighbor rushed to help, suggesting that the children be ‘lured’ with the promise of new toys.

“But we don’t have any more,” said the father.

“The, we’ll just make them up,” suggested the tear-faced mother as the flames grew hotter and hotter.

“Come on out,” shouted the father and mother together. “We have horses, carts, jumping frogs, mechanical dolls, bows and even a monkey.”

Finally, the children emerged from the burning building, leaving their beloved toys behind to ‘see’ the new ones.

When the smoke finally cleared, the children could see the fire had completely destroyed their home – and, that there weren’t any new toys really, after all.

Yet still..they were grateful, very grateful indeed. As they realized the true value of this one human life.

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Namaste, my loves…and may you find the true meaning of Christmas this year in your heart.