Childlike Radiance

 “The archetype of the child has to do with the wonder of all beginnings and the wonder of all beginning again.” - Carl Jung

    The well-known Christmas story is centered around the birth of a child. The child’s story follows a pattern that Otto Rank (who was Sigmond Freud’s assistant) outlined as the infant-hero myth: noble parents beget infant, infant poses threat, infant is cast out, infant is rescued, then infant grows up and returns as a hero. Jesus’ parents were descendents of King David whose bloodline was prophesied to bear the Messiah. The ever power-thirsty and paranoid King Herod was threatened upon hearing about a “new-born King.” Joseph and Mary flee with their son to Egypt until it is safe to return home. Jesus grows up to fulfill the prophecies.
    Rank uses his infant-hero myth outline to explain a phenomena that we now hear referenced as “healing the inner-child.” Early childhood is the only time in which a person has their original active imagination and “unchecked exuberance.” The child’s parents, well-meaning or not, will correct a child’s behavior for many reasons including protection from the family's past or preparation for living in society. Eventually the true child is so pressed down (re: depressed) that the individual begins to detach from the authority figures doing the molding. The detachment is necessary. The child will see other parents and be dissatisfied with his own. As the growing child faces reality, the actual conditions of parenthood and childhood will be realized, and the child “grows up” with this maturation. A child with trauma needs to heal the child that’s light was extinguished too soon in order to walk the steps.
    In addition to parents there are school systems, culture, extended family, public society and more continually telling the child how to be and suppressing aspects of who they really are. Christmastime invites us to peel back all those layers and get back to our heart. There is a light inside each of us that wants to shine, and the world will be better off if we let it. Jesus said, “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, the kingdom of God (i.e. the ideal way of life) belongs to the likes of children” [Luke 18:16]. You’ll become the hero this Christmas when you can accept yourself, the pains of growing up, and show up for your kin with radiant Joy.

Tips for tapping into your childlike radiance this season:

• Anticipation: schedule a holiday gathering
• Stimulation: engage your senses with baking goodies, warming up fireside, playing festive music, going sledding and squealing all the way
• Simplification: slow down as you enjoy decorating your home or admiring a Christmas light display
• Reminisce: throw on a nostalgic Christmas movie or playlist, revisit a tradition you celebrated as a child
• Spend time with the children in your life

If you are curious about who Jesus was or what the nature of God is, consider his own words: “Whoever looks to a child as a representative of me will find me and know me. And whoever receives me does not receive me, but God who sent me” [Mark 9:37].

"The GIFT of a CHILD, for you and for me" [Isaiah 9:6]