As we go through the very special and cherished Christmas season, let’s pause for a few moments to reflect on the deeper meaning of Christmas for Masons. What is the relationship between Christmas and Freemasonry? What affirmed values does our brotherhood share with the Christmas story and with the teachings of Jesus? Let’s consider . . .
A Values-Centered Brotherhood
When you visit the Valley of Portland’s website, you’ll see our values spotlighted front-and-center. As Masons, we are profoundly committed to living a life devoted to Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth. But Freemasonry is not a religion. We welcome people of all faiths and beliefs, as long as you have a monotheistic belief in a supreme being.
Having said that, we, as Masons, should see very clearly a kinship between Christmas and Freemasonry. After all, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, who devoted his life to teaching very specific lessons about how we should deal with our fellow man and woman. These lessons concerned love, tolerance, justice, hope, and kindness. Hmmm … sound familiar?
A Life Serving Others
Christmas and Freemasonry are also similar in the way Masons advocate a life of service to others. Just as we give presents to others on Christmas morning—presents that symbolize our deep love for family, friends, and others—so too do we Masons offer the gift of service to others throughout the year. When you see a Mason serving his fellow man and community, you see a man “walking the talk” of love and kindness, just as Jesus did. In that way, Christmas represents the birth of a man and movement that have profoundly influenced the way Masons see the world.
The Christmas Spirit, All Year ’Round
When we think of the Christmas spirit, and how it can touch and transform our world, we might think of Ebenezer Scrooge, who, in Dickens’ famous A Christmas Carol, moves from the darkness of cynicism and cruelty to the light of kindness and mercy. In a similar way, the Christmas holiday—arriving each near the shortest day of the year but as days gradually lengthen—represents the world’s profound movement from spiritual darkness to light. That “light” is the tolerance, justice, hope, and kindness embraced by Jesus—and also by the Masonic brotherhood. We learn these lessons so well in our Masonic meetings and activities that we instinctively act in the same manner when we go out into the world. In that way, in our charitable activities and in so many other, smaller yet meaningful ways, we seek to live a values-centered life that empowers and uplifts not only ourselves but the those around us.
In that very profound way, Christmas and Freemasonry are solidly connected. Because Masons seek to live in the spirit of love and generosity—the Christmas spirit—all year ’round.
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