My father was a fundamental Christian part-time pastor of country churches. He was a very caring, sacrificial person, who believed poverty was God-like. I have never found that idea in my studying of the Bible, but his life seemed to manifest the concept. Christmas was naturally a special time in our home, though gifts were not very plentiful. The Christmas I remember most as a child was the year when my Dad had been sick and not able to work; there was no money for gifts. When my siblings and I rushed into the room on Christmas morning to see if Santa had left what we had asked for, we were surprised. There near the small tree were all our old toys, freshly painted (still slightly wet) and repaired by Santa Claus "Dad." Our dolls had new clothes hand-sewn by Mrs. Claus "Mom." There was an apologetic, loving letter from Santa. I did not realize until I was a parent that this was the best Christmas of my life. That paint and fabric was filled with something money could not buy -- love!

One of my sons frequently invites me to spend the holidays with his family in Texas. I am grateful to be invited, but what a contrast it is from the most memorable Christmas of my life! There is hardly anywhere in the "tree room" to sit because the presents are so plentiful. In past years, I have noticed the children sneaking in to shake the boxes and decide which ones were for them. One year, little Rachel told me exactly how many presents were hers. She had carefully separated hers from the others. Finally, the day came to pass out the gifts and open them. Each gift was torn into, without any notice of who had given it, and quickly the next was opened. Are we teaching our children values? I wondered. Are we teaching them the true meaning of Christmas, or just how to say gimme, gimme? Did real love go into the purchase of those gifts, only to be discarded for another gift, or was the gift given out of obligation, because we were expected to give it?

We have become a rather affluent society of designer clothes, collectible toys and electronic games. It's a far cry from the repaired toys of my childhood! Perhaps I am on my soapbox, but I've been thinking lately: What can we do to have a Christ-conscious, spiritual Christmas?

It may surprise you to know that Jesus Christ was not born in December at the time we celebrate. Christmas does not mean a celebration of Jesus' birthday; rather, Christmas is a mass in honor of the Christ-consciousness. A yearly pagan festival that celebrated the universal ancient winter solstice holiday was traditionally held on December 25. The early Christians, as well as the pagans, observed this holiday. According to Methodist minister/astrologer, Rev. Donald Jacobs, in his book Astrology's Pew in the Church, Jesus Christ was born during the sign of the fish, on March 1, 7 B.C. in Bethlehem, where there were six planets in the sign of Pisces. These were the "stars" the Wise Men (Astrologers) followed. I'm not advocating changing Christmas to March. We can celebrate the birth of Christ-consciousness in our lives anytime. But how?

We need to understand what Christ-consciousness is before we can celebrate it. It is living in love for all people. It is practicing forgiveness at all times. It is maintaining peace when the world around us seems to be crumbling. It is maintaining positive thinking. It is practicing the Golden Rule. It is trusting in our Higher Power, our God-self, for wisdom and knowledge to meet all of our needs. Christ consciousness is daily seeking our highest purpose and allowing our actions to reflect that purpose. It is being grateful for every experience because there is a lesson in it. It is, in fact, much more.

Here are some things my family and some dear friends have done to have a spiritual holiday season. Perhaps these are some ideas you can use with your families.

1) FAMILY GATHERING: This can be started a few months before the holidays. Because it is often difficult to get all family members together (especially if there are teenagers involved), make a date to sit down as a group and discuss the potentials of a different emphasis upon Christmas, Hanukkah, etc., this year. Talk about the meaning of spiritual consciousness and the various ways you and your family can celebrate those qualities. Plan to sit down at a designated time every week to give progress reports.

2) GRATEFUL BOOK: Purchase a small spiral notebook for each family member. Suggest they date each page from when you start until the end of the year. On each day, each person will write at least five good things that happened during the day for which they are grateful. These happenings may be as simple as the family dog running to greet him or her or a smile from a new person at school or work. These grateful notations can be private or shared at the weekly gathering. Children four years or older can participate by telling an older family member what to write. I have been doing this for years, all year long. As my consciousness expands, I find far more than five things each day for which to be grateful.

3) ADVENT WREATH: There are many ways to use this concept. The following is what I did in my home for many years, but variations are exhaustive. Be creative and design this celebration as it best fits your family. Make a greenery wreath on a styrofoam circle, and then position five tall candles evenly around the circle amongst the greenery. Decorate the wreath with your decorating theme and colors for the year. Use ornaments, ribbons, bells, or whatever you like. Each Sunday during December, have your family gathering. Begin by having a family member light one candle and suggest a holiday song they would like to sing. This can be your time together to share what each has done during the past week to expand his/her spiritual consciousness. Include a prayer of thanksgiving. The next Sunday, the one who lit the first candle, re-lights it, and another family member lights the second candle, etc. Continue this process for the four Sundays of December. Light the fifth candle on Christmas Eve. (You can still do this, even if you are a one-member family.) 3) HOMEMADE GIFTS: A dear friend from South Africa shared this tradition with me. Each family member is required to personally make one gift that is put under the tree. It can not be store-bought, but must be made with love, time and effort. You can draw names to see who makes for whom, or simply let each one choose on their own who will receive their very special "love gift."

4) DECORATE TOGETHER: Set aside a time to decorate the house, tree, yard, etc. Make it a family affair. Promise to avoid arguments or getting upset if others want something other than what you want. You might even make your own decorations. One of my most memorable Christmases when my sons were young was when we made our tree decorations. Together we baked cookies and candies, wrapped them in plastic wrap and hung them on the tree. We strung popcorn ropes and shiny, colorful paper chains. Other ornaments were made from various used materials around the house. This idea has unlimited potential. It will prove to be well remembered because of the time, creativity and fun spent together.

5) OPEN A-GIFT-A-DAY: This is especially helpful when there are young children, but it works well with all ages. Several days before Christmas, let each person open one gift to enjoy for that day. This allows some extra time to personally thank the person giving it.

6) HOLIDAY BUDGET: Outline a budget for your holiday spending and stick to it. Itemize names and the amount to be spent on each person. Total your budget and then set aside an equal amount for others. This can mean giving to any of the charitable causes, or anonymously to anyone, such as a neighbor who has lost his job or an older person in a nursing home who has no family to exchange gifts. This is a gift of love for which you expect no thanks or recognition.

7) COOKING AND SHARING: During the pre-holiday season, my family and I prepare cookies, candy, and cakes to eat and to give away. This is always a fun event to which we all look forward. One of our favorite holiday cooking times was when we made garlic cheese rolls that we gave away and enjoyed ourselves all season. The process is more important than the outcome. It is not important what you prepare or even how it is received when you give it away. The important thing is the time and love that goes into the preparation. One of my favorite cooking traditions is the Christmas Cake. (See box.) The recipe I have is printed in a book that is over one hundred years old; however, the tradition is still practiced today.

8) BE THE LOVE: Promise yourself that this holiday season will be more spiritual: you will smile more, say or write unexpected thank-yous, show love more openly, and send blessings to those involved in every encounter (even if it means projecting peace and love to someone in "road rage" or someone who is rude to you in line at the check-out counter). When you feel that everything around you is "just too much," stop for a moment and thank God that you are alive. Focus yourself on what IS important and be at peace. You might just look back on the 2000 holiday season as the best of your life.

Glenn Key is a metaphysical counselor, who relocated last year to Anchorage. For readings, workshops, or more information, call (907) 729-0346 (NEW #), 440-7487, or (toll-free) 877-729-0342; write glennkey@alaska.net or visit www.glennkey.com