WHAT UNITY BELIEVES ABOUT CHRISTMAS
Rev. Richard Maraj
Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025
So we’re going to begin with a joke. [Congregants laugh] It’s an oldie but a goodie … Okay; it’s just an oldie. [Congregants laugh] Here we go.
Once upon a time, a perfect man and a perfect woman met. After a perfect courtship, they had a perfect wedding. And their life together, of course, was perfect. On a snowy, stormy Christmas Eve, this perfect couple – as they were driving their perfect car along a winding road – noticed that someone was at the side of the road in distress. Being the perfect couple, they decided to stop and help.
There stood Santa with a huge bundle of toys. Not wanting to disappoint any children on Christmas Eve, the perfect couple loaded up Santa and his toys into the vehicle. Soon they were driving along delivering toys. Unfortunately, the driving conditions deteriorated, and the perfect couple and Santa had an accident, and only one of them survived the accident. And the question is, who was the survivor?
And the answer is: the perfect woman survived. She was the only one that really existed after all … [Congregants laugh] Because everyone knows that there is no Santa and there is no such thing as a perfect man. [Congregants laugh]
Oh, but there’s more!
So, if there is no perfect man and no Santa Claus, the woman must have been driving, which explains why there was a car accident. [Congregants laugh and boo]
Okay. Okay. Oldie.
So, you know, there’s some things in Christmas that just are not quite clear. One of them is how did Santa get so involved? But there are other things that we ask at this time, particularly with Unity. And that is: what are the differences between traditional Christianity’s view on Christmas and Unity’s view on Christmas.
You know, Christmas is one of the most sacred of all Christian celebrations. But definitely traditional view and the Unity’s perspective look through different theological lenses. So, I thought it would be good to compare and contrast the similarities and differences to be more clear and to better understand what Unity believes about Christmas.
So, the first thing we’ll look at is COMPARING THE NATURE OF JESUS. Traditionally, Christianity teaches that Jesus is the one and only son of God – uniquely divine, sent into the world to save humanity from sin. Jesus came as the Savior born to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy. His birth is understood as a literal historical event in which God took human form through the incarnation and the birth of Jesus.
Unity’s perspective is that Unity honors Jesus as the master teacher and the spiritual wayshower … but not as the exclusive son of God. But as the one who fully realized the Christ’s consciousness: the divine nature and potential present in all humanity. Unity believes that Jesus represents what is possible for every person.
You know, the Christ is the divine essence in all of us. The Christ … Christ is not Jesus’ last name. He is not the son or daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christ. The Christ represents that Spirit of God in each of us. Like in different cultures, the Atman, or calling it the Higher Self or the Inner Light or the Spirit of God. It is that essence that we call the Christ that is within all of us.
Unity sees Jesus as the great example, who taught and demonstrated spiritual truth through his life and through his teachings.
The next one we’ll look at is THE MEANING OF THE BIRTH STORY. In the traditional Christian perspective, the Christmas story is viewed as a literal historical narrative. Jesus is born of the Virgin Mary. This miraculous birth signifies God’s direct intervention into human history to redeem the world. Christmas celebrates God coming into the world; coming in to human form.
The Unity perspective is not that it is a literal account, but it is a metaphysical teaching — a spiritual teaching – the actual birth story. It is not about the physical birth; it is about the birth in consciousness. It is about a spiritual awakening.
In some ways you could say that the difference would be that Christ is born for us compared to Christ is born in us.
And now SALVATION. The traditional Christian perspective is that humanity is born into sin. That Jesus is worshipped as Lord and Savior. And the relationship that is central in faith is our relationship with Jesus.
In Unity, we believe that humanity is not born in sin. We don’t teach original sin; we teach the original blessing: that we are all children of God; all created in the image and likeness of God; and that Spirit of God dwells in us all. And also, we believe that Jesus did not come to save us. Jesus came to wake us up to the truth of the powerful Spirit of God that is within us – that we are one with God. And Christmas celebrates that divine potential in all of us being born and reawakened with Jesus as our example.
In Unity, Christ is not a person to be worshipped, but a Presence, a Spirit, an essence to be expressed, embodied, lived and fully demonstrated.
And then the last thing we’re looking at is WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS INVITE BELIEVERS TO DO? In traditional Christianity, it invites us to worship Jesus as Savior; to express our gratitude to God for God’s gift to humanity; and to live in obedience with Christ’s teachings.
In Unity, we believe the Christmas invites us to awaken to that Christ Spirit within and to “give it birth”; and to bring forth love and compassion and kindness; and then also to consciously embody these spiritual qualities and to literally let our light shine.
“The Christ in me is born anew this day.”
“The Christ in me is born anew this day.”
Let’s say that together: [with congregants] “The Christ in me is born anew this day.”
Let’s take a deep breath into that.
And let’s say it one more time: [with congregants] “The Christ in me is born anew this day.”
“I let my Christ light shine today and every day.”
[With congregants:} “I let my Christ light shine today and every day.”
Take a deep breath into that.
And let’s say it one more time: [with congregants] “I let my Christ light shine today and every day.”
In Unity, the Christmas story – the whole Christmas story – is really interpreted metaphysically … you teaching us powerful spiritual lessons. And what that means specifically: it is looking at the story beyond the physical, but also looking at the story with all the characters and places representing some aspect within ourselves … to teach us about ourselves on our spiritual path and journey and to help us move through the natural human and emotional and spiritual struggles so we can awaken to the Christ in us and fully express that divine potential in us.
So today, we’re going to look at four of the characters – Mary, Joseph, the journey to Bethlehem and the birth of the Christ child – and see what spiritual/metaphysical meaning they have for each of us in our path to the awakening of the Christ within.
So, let’s begin in Luke 1, Verse 28 to 38. This is when the angel Gabriel says this:
“Greetings, favored one. The Lord is with you.”
But [Mary] was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now you will conceive in your womb and bear a son whom you will name Jesus. He will be great, and he will be called Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor, David.”
“How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
And the Angel explained that the power of the Holy Spirit would overshadow her, and nothing would be impossible with God.
And she considered these things and said, “Let it be done according to your Word.”
So, in the story, MARY is called to give birth to something greater than she can ever imagine or she even thinks is possible. So, she’s a little afraid. She’s a little curious. She is a little worried that she may not be capable or qualified to do this thing. But she was willing. She was willing to listen. She was willing to believe. And she was willing to trust that this was hers to do.
And so, she got that point from being shocked, being a little concerned, to getting to the place where she said, “Let it be done according to your Word.” In the same way that Mary was called to do something greater, every one of us is being called to give birth to something greater than the way that we are living currently. Something greater than how we are being and showing up and expressing in life.
How many people know that there is something greater in you that you had not given life to? That you still … you wonder if it might even be possible or if you’re capable? Anybody have that? And I think we all have, and we all do. We all have that situation that Mary is in. We are being called by God to something greater, and we wonder if we’re capable. We wonder if it’s even possible.
And so, the aspect that Mary represents in us is the divine feminine. That aspect in us that is open hearted; that is willing; = that is receptive and intuitive; and that is willing to step out in faith and trust and believe that something greater than we think is possible can actually happen through us and happen in us. And so, she was willing to say yes: yes to this calling; yes to this great work that she is meant to do.
And then so then we look at JOSEPH. So Joseph, upon finding out that his fiancé was pregnant, thought, “Hmmm. I don’t think this is a look that I want to have; a situation that I want. So, I’m just going to be polite, let her have a baby, and just kind of slip away and be gone.”
And so, he represents the intellect. And so, an angel and a dream had to happen to reassure him that everything was okay and he’s meant to do this. And sometimes our intellect needs convincing. And that’s the masculine divine that is in ourselves. But when he bought in and he was all in, he was all in. And he demonstrated the divine masculine qualities of strength – to provide, to support, to protect.
So, he helped. That was an important part of the process: that we need that Mary aspect in us – the divine nature in us – and the intellect and the strength of Joseph that both are needed for this journey to happen, for this birth to be awakened in both of us. Both aspects represent aspects in us that are vital and needed in us. And both aspects in us need to say “Yes.” She got to her “Yes” a little quicker and easier, but he got to his “Yes.”
And my question for you is: Are you willing to say “Yes” to what God is calling to you next and right now in your life? Are you willing to say “Yes,” even though it might seem bigger than you think you can do> Are you willing to say “Yes,” even though you don’t know how? Are you willing to say “Yes,” even if it’s not the perfect time right now?
“I say ‘Yes’ to the divine ideas seeking to be born in me.”
“I say ‘Yes’ to the divine ideas seeking to be born in me.”
Let’s say that together: [with congregants]: “I say ‘Yes’ to the divine ideas seeking to be born in me.”
Take a deep breath. Make sure your heart is open and you’re willing and receptive.
Let’s say it half voice together: “I say ‘Yes’ to divine ideas seeking to be born in me.”
Take a deep breath again. Feel your heart opening. Feel your divine feminine and masculine opening up to say “Yes, God.” To say, “Yes.”
And one more time, full voice: “I say ‘Yes’ to the divine ideas seeking to be born in me.”
Because I think every one of us knows that there’s a greater version of ourselves than we’ve allowed to come forth. And the question is: Are we willing to say, “Yes”? Because that sacred “Yes” is what opens the door for us to begin the journey for this great birth to happen in us and in our lives.
And so, once we get the “Yes,” then the JOURNEY begins. That is when the work starts. Because this is a process, and it takes time and it takes effort to unfold, to prepare, to grow, to germinate and develop. And taking that journey – as Mary and Joseph had to do to Bethlehem – is an inner journey. An inner journey that sometimes – that road can be windy. Sometimes that road could be bumpy. Sometimes that road can be long and uncomfortable and feel like we’re not making progress, or we’re going a lot slower that we want to go.
How many people have ever really worked hard towards something you wanted, and it felt like you were making no progress at all? Anybody? It wasn’t? I mean, the fact is: we want it and we want it now. But the truth is: things take time. It takes work and it takes effort … and especially the inner work involved in expanding our consciousness. It takes daily work to deepen your faith. It takes daily work to increase your awareness. It takes daily spiritual work to expand your consciousness.
And the question we all need to ask ourselves is: Am I doing my daily spiritual work at the level it needs to do to transform my life? I mean, are we doing our meditation and our prayer? Our affirmation? Our visualization? Are we taking the actions and putting feet to our faith?
You know, the word Bethlehem – the name Bethlehem – means House of Bread, which means a place of divine substance; a place of spiritual nourishment. And so, we need to ask ourselves: Am I nourishing myself spiritually? Am I getting my daily bread? Am I connecting with the Source and filling and feeding my soul?
So, they get to Bethlehem. And they want to stop and have a rest at an inn. It may have been a Holiday Inn Express. [Congregants laugh] I’m not quite sure which one was there. They don’t mention the name. But then we hear the words, “There was no room at the inn.” There was no room at the inn. Symbolically/metaphysically, that means the place was so crowded there was no room.
And sometimes in the course of our lives, our minds are so crowded – so busy like the Energizer Bunny: just keep going and going, jumping from one thing to the other. Sometimes our lives are so crammed; sometimes things are so full, so busy, that we’re distracted. That there isn’t peace; there isn’t clarity; there isn’t calm.
The Christ cannot be born in a hectic, crazy, loud place! That we must get to that manger that was in the open — that was quiet; that was peaceful; that was still; that was calm.
And so, it’s an important lesson here: comparing life when it feels like there’s no room at the inn – where it’s too packed – and the manger where we need quiet and silence; an open space to allow something greater to come forth.
Albert Einstein said, “I think 99 times and find nothing. I stop thinking, swim in silence, and the truth comes to me.” Einstein – as brilliant as he was – thought one of the greatest things that we can do for our minds is quiet and calm it. Because it is through a quiet and calm mind that inspiration and ideas come.
You know what he said is the greatest things we can do for our kids? Okay, I’ll tell you. He said, “Teach them the virtue of stillness.” He said, as amazing as kids are, and when they’re running around even when they’re running – make them stop once in a while and just sit in the quiet inside. He said, “You will be introducing them later in their lives to the absolute key of how to tap into genius and creativity and inspiration and ideas.” And I would dare say: tap into the unlimited Mind of God.
So where in your life is there no room at the inn? Is it in your general thinking? Is it in your work? Is it in your relationship? Is it in your health and your spiritual life? That it’s so crowded and so busy you can’t concentrate? So crowded and so busy, you’re not calm; you’re not clear? And where is it that you need to open up to the manger? To a time of silence? A time of calmness? A time of stillness?
The Christ was not born in the crowded inn; it was was born in the manger: in a simple, humble, quiet place. And it’s a principle and a lesson for all of us in our lives.
It was a doctor’s last patient consultation on Christmas Eve. A mother and her daughter came in and wanted to be examined, because she was having some unusual symptoms: putting on some weight, morning sickness, and a number of strange cravings. He checked her out, and then eventually went to the mother and daughter and said, “Your daughter is unquestionably pregnant,” at which she protested very strongly.
She said, “Don’t be ridiculous. My daughter has never been with a man.” And the daughter confirmed it and said she didn’t have even kissed a man.
The doctor studied carefully and then quietly stood up and walked out a few steps to the window and just stared out of the window. Suspecting the worst, the mother asked if there was something wrong.
And the doctor said, “Well, not really. It might just be a coincidence, but the last time this happened, a bright star appeared in the East.” [Congregants laugh]
Okay; I didn’t say it was a great joke. I just …
And then the last thing is talking about the birth: THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD. And the whole idea with birth is something coming into existence. To bringing forth life; to bringing forth some greater good.
Myrtle Fillmore, the co-founder of unity, said that, “Christ is here within every one of us waiting to be expressed.” Waiting to be expressed. It is calling every one of us to express that Christ potential.
And what does that look like and mean? The Christ is the light of God in you. The Christ is the divine potential in you. The Christ is the love that seeks to express through your heart. The Christ is the wisdom that seeks to guide you in every way. The Christ is the peace that fills your heart and your mind.
And so, for every one of us, let the Christ be born in us. Let it be born in our hearts. Let it be born in our minds. Let it be born in our words. Let it be born in our thoughts, in our actions, and in our interactions.
Because Christmas really is just a constant unfolding – and birth and rebirth – and a reawakening to allow the expansion of the Christ in us to come forth. The story of Christmas is really the story of you and it’s a story of me. It’s the story of everyone on our soul’s journey to our soul’s awakening.
One thing I’d like you to remember is: Jesus did not come to save us. He came to wake us up. To say, “There is something great and magnificent in you!” Tap into it. Trust into that and allow that Christ’s spirit to be born in you.
And that is what Unity believes about Christmas.
God bless you all.