Merry Christmas!

How Taoism Reshaped My View of Christ’s Birth

Here in Colorado where the Rocky Mountains glisten in the distance, I find myself contemplating the Christmas story through an unexpected lens – that of Taoism.

This journey of thought, bridging East and West, has led me to some intriguing insights about the birth of Christ and its universal significance.

Nativity scenes are a familiar sight that symbolize Christmas . But it wasn’t until I delved into Eastern philosophy that I began to see it with fresh eyes.

The Taoist concept of wu wei, or “non-action,” suddenly illuminated Mary’s role in a new light. Her words, “Let it be done to me according to your word,” now strike me as a profound example of aligning oneself with the cosmic flow – what Taoists would call the Tao.

I’m reminded of the countless times I’ve stood at the base of a Colorado mountain, feeling small yet connected to something greater. This sensation mirrors what I imagine the shepherds and wise men must have felt as they approached the humble stable in Bethlehem.

In both scenarios, there’s a palpable sense of the divine manifesting in the most unassuming of places.

The I Ching, a text I’ve turned to for wisdom in times of change, offers further parallels. Hexagram 24, “Return,” speaks of cycles and new beginnings.

As I watch the seasons change here in Fort Collins, from the bloom of spring to the quiet of winter, I see a reflection of this eternal cycle in the Christmas story. Christ’s birth, like the return of spring, heralds a new spiritual epoch.

I’m struck by how the star of Bethlehem resonates with Taoist ideas about the interconnectedness of heaven and earth. Just as many have used the stars to navigate while hiking in the Rockies, the Magi followed their celestial guide to a divine encounter.

This bridging of the celestial and terrestrial realms feels deeply significant, whether I’m standing on a mountain peak or contemplating the nativity.

The humble circumstances of Christ’s birth align beautifully with the Taoist reverence for simplicity. In a world that often equates worth with material possessions, there’s something profoundly counter-cultural about a king born in a stable.

It reminds me of the simple beauty I find in nature here in Colorado – a reminder that true value often lies in the unadorned and authentic.

As I reflect on Christ’s dual nature – fully human and fully divine – I’m reminded of the Taoist concept of yin and yang. This paradox, central to Christian theology, suddenly seems less perplexing when viewed through the lens of Eastern philosophy.

Just as the snowy peaks and sun-drenched valleys of the Rockies coexist in harmonious contrast, so too can these seemingly opposite natures unite in one being.

This exploration has led me to see the nativity scene not just as a representation of a sacred event, but as a symbol of the eternal unfolding of existence. It’s a reminder that the divine can manifest in the most unexpected places – be it a stable in Bethlehem or the quiet beauty of a Colorado winter morning.

As I prepare to celebrate Christmas here in Fort Collins, I find myself enriched by this Taoist perspective on the nativity.

For me, it’s a beautiful reminder that beneath the surface differences of our world’s wisdom traditions, there lie common threads of truth – the recognition of life’s cycles, the power of humility, and the potential for encountering the divine in the everyday.

This journey of thought has been as invigorating as a stroll here in the Rockies, opening up new vistas of understanding. It’s a testament to the power of cross-cultural contemplation, and a reminder that sometimes, the most illuminating insights come from unexpected sources.

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Much Love,

Diamond Michael Scott — aka The Chocolate Taoist