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Keeping the Light Alive!

Monthly articles demonstrating Rudolf Steiner’s  relevance to today’s world

Adrian Anderson PhD., author of books and articles on anthroposophy

December  2019:  The Deeper Meaning of Christmas Day

The festival of Christmas Day is a global festival which commemorates an historical event: the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. The Gospel of St. Luke (2:14) records the joyous words of divine beings, hovering high above the manger in Bethlehem on the first Christmas Day. The usual translation is:

         “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace  to men on whom his favor rests.”

We note, that the word ‘men’ is not appropriate; the Greek word is better understood as ‘human souls’ or ‘people’. But Rudolf Steiner revealed that the entire sentence can be understood very differently to usual Bible translations. He translates it as:

     “Divine Beings from the heavenly heights are manifesting, so that Peace may prevail in Earth, amongst people who are permeated by good-will “

The usual translation and Rudolf Steiner’s are both correct, in terms of Greek grammar: so two different messages were being announced here. The wonderful implication of the deeper message, seen by Rudolf Steiner, is that through the birth of Jesus, and the consequent arising of the Saviour, the daughters and sons of the Earth may now begin to work towards letting their souls give birth – to their own spirit: to their own spiritual potential. This means, to bring to birth the ‘Christ-light’ within themselves, or the Spiritual-self.

What does ‘good-will’ mean? It does not just mean having positive feelings towards something. It means possessing goodness in the will  – and this is a high achievement. For the will is a deeper aspect of the soul than thinking, or feelings. Such an achievement is what leads to the Spiritual-self. 

And ‘Peace’ in the words of the spiritual beings, refers to the Spiritual-self, for as this is attained, then the lower earthly desires and impulses are conquered. This state of goodness confers real inner peace on the human being and also leads to a more peaceful society. So the words of the heavenly beings are both a proclamation of good news, and a prophecy bringing hope to struggling souls.

Warmest greetings to you all for a peaceful and blessed Christmas Day,

Adrian A.

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