From the Star Wars universe comes the story of the Mandalorian. An orphan raised by the Empire to be a warrior blindly following orders, he is told to capture a small child that has been born with the ability to transcend the world and join with “the Force” – which is the Star Wars version of God. The Empire wants to use the power of the child’s mind to keep itself in control.
But the Mandalorian becomes inspired and refuses to deliver the child. Instead, he embarks on a Great Crusade to bring the child to a Teacher who will help the child develop powers that will save the world. For this the Mandalorian is hunted and assaulted. Yet, through it all, he is determined to protect this child that doesn’t yet know how to use its powers to protect itself.
In this Christmas season, we celebrate the birth of another child born with the ability to transcend the world’s illusions and join with God. Yet the name of Jesus, the Course teaches us, “is but a symbol” (M,23,4:1) because in remembering Jesus we remember God and we also remember that in each of us is a small child that also has the ability to transcend the world’s illusions.
But we are told, “This child needs your protection.” (Lesson 182, P6, L1) Why? Because the world (the Empire) seeks to harness your mind to keep itself in control and will tempt you with illusions of a different kind of power.
Yet, is there also a noble warrior in each of us. In this season of Light, find your inner Child, lying in the manger within, and harness your inner Mandalorian to give it protection from the Empire as we join the Great Crusade and learn how to transcend, and ultimately save, the world.