THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 17544, 27 December 1920, Page 7

THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

“THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS.” The platform of the Theosophical Society was occupied last evening by Mr H. H. Banks, the national lecturer of the section, who addressed a large audience on ‘The Meaning of Christmas.’ In the course of his address he said there were three ways by which the personal figure of Christ could be regarded: First, from the point of view of the universal cosmic Christ principle, which wa f typified by the sun in the heavens, and represented that cohesive power wliich held the atoms together, the Spirit of God brooding over the face of the waters. Secondly, its the official personal Christ, the founder of all the religions' in ‘ the world, uniting in Himself the human and divine natures which represent the highest expressions of God in human form; a Son of Man holding the ideal of Christhood to every man—the firstfruits of them that sleep. m Thirdly, the individual aspect, which we see more fully expressed in man. It is a certain indication of what we shall become through _ the gradual process- of growth which will eventually blossom into the tree of divinity. It is the intuitive power by which the mind will be transcended, and we shall see the God within each one. This power is also called cosmic consciousness, of which poets and philosophers have sung. _ Man can unfold this power by taking himself in hand, and in the process four have to be travelled. .Life, as it travels through the various kingdoms—mineral, vegetable, and animal —gains experience till it reach.es a stage when it cannot learn any more in those lower forms; then a spark of God descends, and there is a fusion of the two and the human soul is born. Man in his evolution passes through various experiences, till in time he longs for union with the high and lofty, and as ho turns and faces the light we have conversion. Conversion is typified at the baptism, when the soul is immersed in spiritual aspiration and a desire to be one with God. The next stage is known as initiation, which is typified in the Christmas season—the birth of the Christ in the heart of man. It means an expansion of consciousness. The next stage is that of adeptship, when the man has learned all tho_ lessons life can give him, because he is master in all the worlds. Then comes the ascension, when he -rises to God with conscious power, and joins the communion of saints. When the Great Teacher comes to earth. He will stimulate the life within others, which, with man’s co-operation, will show forth in steadfastness, devotion, and gentleness, and the key to the New Ago Brotherhood which we sec expressed in .many movements that are struggling to show forth the ideal in the world"lo-day. As intuition is unfolded among men the world will be filled with a great spiritual light which will help us to carry out into daily life those spiritual gifts which wo cnlv now hear with our ears.