Hamilton Wright Mabie (1845-1916), famous American author, essayist, and critic wrote this: "Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."
He was, of course, referring to Christmastime. The quote, although simple, is an enigma worth unraveling.
The Beatitudes, preached by Jesus in the Sermon on the
Mount, appear to be Mabie's model for placing spiritual importance upon this season. "Blessed is the season..." makes a firm
statement about the Christmas season being holy. It draws the reader into the entire quote with a penchant for soul searching and
reverence.
Mabie continues by stating that this is the "season which engages the whole world", which
places even more focus on the powerful effect that Christmas has on
peoples of all faiths, in every corner of the globe, during each year of
celebration. Whomever you are, wherever you are, whatever you are
doing, you will engage, in some way, with others during this season. You will see the religious, as well as the secular, symbols of Christmas. You will hear the songs
and the advertisements on the radio or in the mall. You will enjoy the foods at festivities; smell evergreens and candy canes wherever you go. If you are of this world, you
will experience some effect of Christmas during this blessed
season of the year.
The quote culminates with the booming dichotomy of "in a conspiracy of love." The word conspiracy
implies something secret, unlawful; something being plotted. So imagine people everywhere secretly plotting ways to show love to those around
them; or quietly enjoying the jolliness of the season, even if they are
not believers in the birth of Christ on Christmas Day. Each is a
player in the conspiracy of goodness, kindness, joy and love at this glorious time of the year. A world plotting to share, receive, or give love in some fashion at Christmastime? Heartwarming, if not holy.
"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."
Hamilton Wright Mabie understood the magnitude of the spectacular Event which we celebrate during this
Season. His words are simple, yet profound. And so it is with Christmas.
Peace on Earth. Good will to mankind. Blessed is the season.
He was, of course, referring to Christmastime. The quote, although simple, is an enigma worth unraveling.
The Beatitudes, preached by Jesus in the Sermon on the
Mount, appear to be Mabie's model for placing spiritual importance upon this season. "Blessed is the season..." makes a firm
statement about the Christmas season being holy. It draws the reader into the entire quote with a penchant for soul searching and
reverence.
Mabie continues by stating that this is the "season which engages the whole world", which
places even more focus on the powerful effect that Christmas has on
peoples of all faiths, in every corner of the globe, during each year of
celebration. Whomever you are, wherever you are, whatever you are
doing, you will engage, in some way, with others during this season. You will see the religious, as well as the secular, symbols of Christmas. You will hear the songs
and the advertisements on the radio or in the mall. You will enjoy the foods at festivities; smell evergreens and candy canes wherever you go. If you are of this world, you
will experience some effect of Christmas during this blessed
season of the year.
The quote culminates with the booming dichotomy of "in a conspiracy of love." The word conspiracy
implies something secret, unlawful; something being plotted. So imagine people everywhere secretly plotting ways to show love to those around
them; or quietly enjoying the jolliness of the season, even if they are
not believers in the birth of Christ on Christmas Day. Each is a
player in the conspiracy of goodness, kindness, joy and love at this glorious time of the year. A world plotting to share, receive, or give love in some fashion at Christmastime? Heartwarming, if not holy.
"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."
Hamilton Wright Mabie understood the magnitude of the spectacular Event which we celebrate during this
Season. His words are simple, yet profound. And so it is with Christmas.
Peace on Earth. Good will to mankind. Blessed is the season.
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