I’ve been trying to think up something clever to post for Christmas, but Rob Brezsny, in his Free Will Astrology Newsletter — to which I subscribe because he’s so wonderfully far-out-there — put it perfectly. So why try to top this:
Fundamentalist Christians send me hate mail. Religious zealots have banned my last book. Along with meditation, yoga, and sex for fun, the powers-that-be at the Vatican has declared astrology to be dangerous to your spiritual health.
All of these people would no doubt be shocked if they learned that Jesus Christ is one of the Main High Dudes in my pantheon of gods. They seem to believe that people like me — goddess-worshiping tantric sufi Qabalist Buddhist pagans who hang around with zen trickster witches and espouse a socialist libertarian political philosophy — couldn’t possibly have an intimate relationship with the cosmic hero they claim to own. They must think they have commandeered the trademark to one of the sweetest avatars in history!
But I do have an intimate relationship with Jesus. How could I not? He was a champion of women’s rights, a threat to the established political order, and a radical spiritual activist who worked outside religious institutions. The dude owned nothing and was a passionate advocate for the poor and underprivileged. He was uncompromisingly opposed to violence and war. Besides that, he was a master of love and he devoted his life to serving the Divine Intelligence. I want to be like him when I grow up!
“It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle,” he allegedly said, “than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” That’s a pretty clear statement of his position towards plutocratic accumulators of property and wealth.
“Love your enemies,” he said, “do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” How any militarist promoting global arms sales and pre-emptive war could claim an affinity with Jesus is incomprehensible.
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
On the other hand, I also like this dissident visual Christmas statement from one of the cards I got.

Whatever you inclinations are this winter holiday season, I hope that you will join me in wishes for an America and a Planet Earth that both the historical and the mythical Jesus would think was worth living in.