Christmas is often framed as a moment in history—a sacred night marked by angels, shepherds, and the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. Emanuel Swedenborg invites us to look deeper. In his theology, Christmas is not confined to a date on the calendar, but represents an eternal spiritual reality: the descent of Divine Love and Truth into human life, and the possibility of inner rebirth within every individual.
For Swedenborg, the Incarnation was not simply God appearing in human form, but Divine Truth entering the natural world so that humanity could once again understand, relate to, and choose the good. Prior to Christ’s coming, Swedenborg taught that spiritual understanding had grown dim. Christmas, therefore, signifies illumination—the restoration of a living connection between heaven and earth.
Divine truth is born in humility, not grandeur. It enters quietly, requiring receptivity rather than ceremony. The spirit of Christmas, then, is the willingness to allow higher truths to take root within the ordinary circumstances of our lives.
Central to Swedenborg’s vision is charity—not charity as sentiment, but as action. Love of neighbor is the true expression of faith. From this perspective, Christmas is not measured by declarations of belief or displays of piety, but by how one lives. Acts of kindness, patience, honesty, and restraint are not seasonal virtues; they are the daily evidence that Christ is being born within the will and understanding of a person.
Peace, so often invoked at Christmas, also carries a deeper meaning in Swedenborg’s writings. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but a state of alignment with Divine order. When the inner life is rightly ordered—when selfish impulses yield to conscience and compassion—peace arises naturally. This is the “peace on earth” spoken of by angels: a harmony between inner intention and outward life.
“Illumination is not imposed from above; it unfolds within.” Swedenborg often spoke of regeneration, the gradual process by which a person is spiritually reborn. In this sense, the manger is symbolic.
To live in the spirit of Christmas, according to Swedenborg, is to allow divine principles to shape one’s choices long after the decorations are taken down. It is to recognize that heaven is not a distant realm, but a present reality that draws nearer as love becomes active and truth becomes lived.
In this way, Christmas ceases to be an event we remember and becomes a state we embody. It is renewed each time we choose goodwill over judgment, humility over pride, and service over self-interest. This, Swedenborg would suggest, is the truest celebration of all.
About Emanuel Swedenborg (Metaphysical Perspective)
Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772) was a Swedish scientist, philosopher, theologian, and mystic whose work bridged the worlds of reason and revelation. Trained in mathematics, engineering, and natural science, Swedenborg spent the first half of his life as a respected scholar and inventor. In his later years, following a series of profound spiritual experiences, he devoted himself entirely to theology and the exploration of the spiritual dimensions of human life.
Swedenborg wrote extensively on the nature of God, the structure of heaven and hell, the inner meaning of Scripture, and the process of spiritual regeneration. Central to his teachings is the idea that spiritual truths correspond to natural realities, and that heaven and earth are intimately connected through human consciousness and moral choice.
Unlike purely doctrinal theologians, Swedenborg emphasized lived faith—arguing that love expressed through ethical action, rather than belief alone, is the true measure of spiritual life. His writings have influenced religious thought, psychology, philosophy, and literature, including figures such as William Blake, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Helen Keller, and Carl Jung.
Today, Swedenborg’s ideas continue to resonate with readers seeking a rational yet deeply spiritual understanding of Christianity—one that emphasizes inner transformation, responsibility, and the ongoing presence of the divine in everyday life.
Suggested reading: Swedenborg: An Introduction to His Life and Ideas by Gary Lachman
As we move through the Christmas season and toward a new year, consider what is being asked to be born within you now. If you would like to continue these contemplative reflections beyond the holidays, Thoughts offers grounded, metaphysical writing for those seeking meaning, clarity, and inner alignment. You are welcome to join.
