Musings
The Spirit of Christmas
Lately I’ve been feeling exceedingly tired. I’m not sure all the reasons why my energy has been so low, but I know many people have been feeling the heaviness of the dark time of year being upon us. Things that might not feel so daunting at other times can feel more burdensome.
Of course, the winter solstice is when we have reached the darkest part of the year, so our celebrations revolve around the return of the light. As we are sometimes struggling to remember the times when life felt easier, we have many traditions that are meant to help us remember.
One of these is the ever present Santa Claus who is the embodiment of the Spirit of Christmas. I won’t go into all the symbolism of Santa here, but he is a representation of the all knowing God who sees whether we’ve been naughty or nice throughout the year, and who rewards our actions with either the gifts which come from enlightenment, or the coal that is the blackness one reaps from selfishness. He is not a real physical being, but in the metaphysical sense he is absolutely real.
So a large part of the Christmas season is finding ways to uplift each other in this darkest part of the year. We can do this through all the little and big ways we find to share our gifts through the giving of gifts to each other. It can be helpful to remember that it’s really about finding what is nourishing for yourself and others rather than depleting yourself by trying to live up to all the Hallmark images of what you’re supposed to be doing. Sometimes the simplest of gestures towards someone else can make their day. Focusing on this perspective allows you to be kind both to yourself and others. And keeping your own cup filled gives you the capacity to do a little extra for someone else.
I hope this brings some comfort to anyone who is struggling. May it come to you like a warm hug letting you know that you matter and you have beautiful gifts to offer.
With all the love in the world,
Jean
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Written by : Jean Cavanaugh
Jean Cavanaugh is the founder and steward of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, established in 2019 as a living, learning community devoted to reconnecting people with the wisdom of nature, the sacred order of creation, and the presence of Christ within all life. Her work brings together spiritual formation, ecological stewardship, ancestral wisdom, and hands-on community practice.
Through years of practical work on the land, study of the Mysteries, and the healing of her own severe health challenges through natural methods, Jean has come to recognize God’s hand at work throughout creation. Her teachings, rooted in the Mystery School tradition and Christian gnosis, explore how the patterns of heaven, earth, and the human body reveal the way back to divine presence, peace, and inner strength.
Jean leads with honesty, integrity, and a deeply welcoming spirit, inviting others to let go of inherited assumptions and rediscover truth through lived experience and embodied understanding. She works with all ages—from preschoolers to elders—offering programs and celebrations that emphasize direct engagement with nature, music, story, homesteading skills, and in-person community.
She and her family live at the 21-acre Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, where daily life reflects a commitment to simplicity, beauty, and harmony with the land. The sanctuary includes gardens, woodland trails, a seasonal creek, gathering circles, and spaces designed to nourish both people and wildlife. Jean is especially passionate about creating environments that are grounding, beautiful, and spiritually restorative.
Through her writing and teaching, Jean encourages others to know themselves, know creation, and recognize Christ as the living truth present within and around us—always inviting a return to love, beauty, and the sacred order of life.
