My religious, practicing-Hindu mother just cannot understand how I, who voluntarily opted for Christianity at the age of 25 as a choice of religion, not go to church on Christmas eve.
“What sort of a Christian are you?” she asks absolutely disgusted by my behavior. “You don’t go to the church, not even on Christmas. Yet you love decorating your Christmas tree. Yes, I am really BIG on my small Christmas tree.
I don’t find God in religious places of worship. Don’t get me wrong –I am not being rebellious here. I fully support all those who want to go to churches, temples and mosques. I make it a point to drive my mom to the temple whenever she wants to.
I love temples and churches and mosques and all the other places of worship. I enjoy the smell of camphor and fresh flowers and the mantras in a temple; I absolutely revel in the singing, praise and worship in a church not to forget the fellowship and camaraderie that follows; I love the silence of a mosque. It’s just that I (and let me reiterate –I ALONE) cannot seem to find God here. I have tried for a major part of my life.
I seem more connected to my maker now more than ever. And I don’t even belong to any religion anymore nor do I go to the church anymore (again I am not subscribing this to anyone). I feel the connection when I look at the beautiful clouds, the breathtaking sunset and sunrise, the different shades of green in a lane full of trees. I find God in my bedroom, when I wake up at 4 am and just sit there with the lights switched off and the windows open, I feel my maker in the cool breeze that tingle my skin.
I feel more connected to God when I hang the stars and tinsels on my Christmas tree. When I finish decorating the tree and switch on the fairy lights –Oh my God, my heart leaps with joy to see that beautiful sight. And at that precise moment –when my heart is filled with unadulterated joy is when I feel deeply connected to God.
Merry Christmas. And I wish that each one of you find your connection in your own way!
This image is a collage of my the Christmas tree in my house -gives me great joy as always
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