Board of Trustees – Unity of Ann Arbor

The Birth of the Christ Within

Advent: The Preparation of Alignment

Throughout the Advent season, we have been preparing—not rushing, not striving, but aligning.
We have moved week by week through Hope (Faith), Peace, Love, and Joy—not as abstract ideas, but as living spiritual states that ready the soul for Christ’s coming.

Advent teaches us that preparation is not about effort alone, but about alignment.
When we are spiritually aligned, life flows more easily and effortlessly.
This is grace in motion.
This is Spirit meeting us where we are.

In the language of the body, this alignment is sometimes called a quickening—
an awakening of the sacred centers of life within us.
As alignment deepens, energy flows freely, awareness expands, and the inner light becomes available for expression.

Advent has been leading us here—
to the birth and quickening of the Christ within.

Celebrating the Birth of Jesus — A Sacred Yes to Divine Embodiment

Christmas Eve invites us to honor the holy moment when Jesus Christ was born into the world—
not merely as a figure of history,
but as a living demonstration of what is possible when divine love fully inhabits human form.

Jesus represents the perfect balance of heaven and earth,
Spirit and body,
prayer and action.

His birth proclaims that God does not remain distant,
but chooses to dwell among us,
within us,
and as us.

The manger is humble, reminding us that divine light requires no perfection—
only openness.

Tonight, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus,
we also affirm that the same Christ Presence he embodied
is seeking expression in every soul.

Christmas is not complete
until the Christ is born in us.

The Importance of Balance — Preparing the Way for the Christ

In the Gospel story, the way was prepared—
roads were traveled,
stars aligned,
hearts made ready.

In our own lives, balance prepares the way.

The chakras symbolize centers of spiritual and human expression.
When these energies are harmonized—
grounded yet open,
empowered yet loving,
expressive yet surrendered—
we become receptive vessels for Christ consciousness.

An unbalanced system resists divine flow.
A balanced one allows Spirit to move freely.

This alignment is not about striving.
It is about cooperating with grace.

As Scripture reminds us:
“Let all things be done decently and in order.” — 1 Corinthians 14:40

Balance creates the inner order
where the Christ Light can be revealed.

(From here, you transition seamlessly into the Seven-Chakra Effectual Prayer and candle lighting.)

1. Root Chakra – Foundation of Divine Life

Realization:
The Christ Light is established in my being.

Prayer:
I know that divine life grounds and sustains me now.
I stand firmly in faith, trust, and presence.

Affirmation:
I am rooted in divine life and perfect support.

Thanksgiving:
I give thanks for stability, safety, and belonging.

Release:
I release all fear and rest in God.

2. Sacral Chakra – Flow of Creative Life

Realization:
The Christ Light flows freely within me.

Prayer:
Sacred life moves through my emotions, relationships, and creativity.
Joy is awakened and expressed.

Affirmation:
Divine creativity flows freely through me.

Thanksgiving:
I am grateful for joy, connection, and vitality.

Release:
I release guilt and allow holy joy.

3. Solar Plexus – Center of Spiritual Power

Realization:
The Christ Light empowers right action.

Prayer:
I claim inner strength guided by divine wisdom.
My actions are confident, calm, and purposeful.

Affirmation:
I act with spiritual strength and divine authority.

Thanksgiving:
I give thanks for courage and clarity.

Release:
I release self-doubt and trust divine guidance.

4. Heart Chakra – Seat of Divine Love

Realization:
The Christ Light awakens love within me.

Prayer:
My heart opens to unconditional love and compassion.
Love flows through me without limitation.

Affirmation:
Divine love radiates from my heart.

Thanksgiving:
I am grateful for love freely given and received.

Release:
I release resentment and allow love to heal.

5. Throat Chakra – Expression of Divine Truth

Realization:
The Christ Light speaks through me.

Prayer:
My words align with wisdom, kindness, and truth.
I communicate with grace and clarity.

Affirmation:
I speak divine truth with love and ease.

Thanksgiving:
I give thanks for the power of the spoken word.

Release:
I release fear of expression.

6. Third Eye – Inner Illumination

Realization:
The Christ Light illumines my understanding.

Prayer:
I see beyond appearances into spiritual truth.
Wisdom and insight guide my way.

Affirmation:
I see clearly with spiritual understanding.

Thanksgiving:
I am grateful for divine insight.

Release:
I release confusion and trust inner knowing.

7. Crown Chakra – Awareness of Oneness

Realization:
The Christ Light is fully awakened within me.

Prayer:
I rest in unity with the Divine.
Peace, wholeness, and presence fill my awareness.

Affirmation:
I am one with Divine Light.

Thanksgiving:
I give thanks for the birth of the Christ within.

Release:
I release separation and abide in the Christ.

Lighting of the Christ Candle

(The central Christ candle is lit.)

Leader:
From the fullness of this awakened light,
we now kindle the Christ Candle—
symbol of the eternal Light revealed through Jesus,
and alive in us now.

This light is not diminished by sharing.
It grows brighter as it is given.

Sharing the Light

(Congregants light their individual candles from the Christ Candle.)

Leader:
As you receive the flame, know that you are receiving more than light—
you are claiming your place as a bearer of the Christ presence in the world.

Let this light remind you:
the Christ is born not only once,
but again and again—
wherever love is lived,
truth is spoken,
and compassion is shared.

(Soft music or “Silent Night” may be sung or played.)

Closing Affirmation (Unison)

The Christ Light is born in me this day
and shines through all that I do.

Closing Blessing

As we honor the birth of Jesus,
may the Christ awakened within us
go forth as love in action,
light in the world,
and peace on earth—beginning here. And so it is.