52. Christmas is a time of inspiration

By Tom O'Connell

Setting aside the materialism that has worked its way into the Christmas Season over the decades, this can be a time of great inspiration. Imagine the influence that the life of Jesus has had on the world. What a gift Jesus' message of love and forgiveness has been for millions of people in distress.

The Twelve Step programs, in their ordinary functioning, operate on a nonsectarian basis, respecting all faiths, and only rarely is there a reference to Jesus. One example is the statement in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions book: "What would the Master do?" However, the basic recovery principles of honesty, purity, unselfishness and love were borrowed from the Oxford movement which was a Christian organization dedicated to furthering the messages provided by Jesus the Christ, or "anointed one."

Why was Jesus anointed as a messenger of God for this planet? To spread the word about God's love. And he was even willing to die for the privilege of being the messenger. What an amazing life. And his messages have steadily infiltrated the fabric of this and many other societies while at the same time Christianity, despite the human flaws of some Christians, has grown into the world's number one religion.

"Love one another as I have loved you." "Be reconciled to your brother." "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that spitefully use you and persecute you." "No man can serve two masters." "Take no thought for tomorrow." "Judge not." "Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you." And how about this one? "All things you would have others do to you, do so to them." We call it the Golden Rule.

When Jesus told the story about the good Samaritan who helped his neighbor when nobody else would, he said, "Go you and do likewise." And any addict can relate to the story of the prodigal son who "wasted his substance with riotous living." Then, when he hits bottom, the addicted prodigal goes home to his father. And Dad, instead of reading the riot act to him, "had compassion and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."

What a story of forgiveness. "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son." What does Dad do? He brings  him the best robe, and clothes him, and throws a reunion party for him. "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." And they begin to enjoy themselves.

Whether a person is addicted to alcohol, other drugs, sex, gambling, food, or any other excessive behavior, the person's spirit descends into the underworld of despair and death. But it's possible to get restored to life. The addict who becomes lost never loses the chance to be found. And in the end, the addict who is led into recovery in a mutual help group finds the love of others who have suffered the same fate, and has the opportunity to be happy, joyous, and free to make choices that aren't influenced by addictive behavior.

What an adventure Jesus' life was. And what an adventure, one day at a time, is the life of each addict who receives the gift of recovery. Be happy and enjoy the adventure while appreciating the positive spirit of the Holiday Season. Peace to you.

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