A Christmas lesson in Italy

Originally appeared on spirituality.com

Maybe inspiration isn’t the word most often associated with Christmas, but it’s the one on my mind this year. I’m talking about that humbling but empowering spiritual feeling that to me is practically synonymous with Christmas.

Spiritual inspiration is what tells us more about life as the emanation or expression of God, divine Spirit. It’s the Christ-healing power that transforms individuals and the universe. The effect of this inspiration is to make people’s lives bigger—to expand their understanding of God’s goodness by experiencing its relevance in their own lives and sharing that goodness with others. It brings the only real form of blessing that can come to the world. And it’s a power I’ve witnessed on many occasions. In fact, one particular time I felt it most strongly was during the Christmas season several years ago.

At the time I was working in Italy and living with a family who gave me room and board in exchange for help with their English. One morning we bundled up to go Christmas shopping and went out to the car in the driveway. There, we came across the “Mama” of the family. She was leaning over a bird lying motionless and flat on the ground.

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