What Christ Lives In You?
Hello,
It's my pleasure to dedicate this poem to you. Every line of this poem invites you to reflect upon your values and beliefs.
In this light, the poem poses some questions that only you can answer. Would you be willing to answer them?
Thank you for reading.
Merry Christmas!
What Christ Lives In You?
(A poem by Sal Godoij.)
Christmas, they say, celebrates the birth of Christ
Is it true?
For if it is true, I tell you, my brother, my sister
There is a Christ within you
Hidden in the recondite corners of your soul
Yes, there is a Christ in you
But if so, which Christ are you?
The Newborn in that manger in Bethlehem
Your inner voices singing Glory?
Are you The Teacher?
Are you the One making miracles?
The Betrayed One?
The Forgiving One?
The One carrying the crosses of others?
The Crucified One?
The Resuscitated One?
Are you the One telling Mary:
"Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.
Think of it, my brother, my sister. Think of it
You must decide
Tell me what Christ lives in you. Tell me
Who is the One who lives in you?
Why?
Only you can explain
So, in this Christmas.
Oh, you, Master of your Belief
Say it
"Lord, I am not worthy that you dwell under my roof
But only say the word, and my soul shall be healed".
Don't be afraid
Be that Christ that lives in your Heart
Amen.
Analysis of my poem by Google Gemini.
This poem by Sal Godoij is a contemplative, introspective piece that shifts the focus of Christmas from a historical event to a psychological and spiritual reality. It challenges the believer to move past "surface-level" celebration and identify where they currently stand in their own spiritual evolution.
Line-by-Line Analysis
"Christmas, they say, celebrates the birth of Christ / Is it true?"
The poet begins with a provocative question. By saying "they say," Godoij distances the reader from the commercial or traditional "standard" version of Christmas to prepare for a deeper, more personal truth.
"For if it is true... There is a Christ within you / Hidden in the recondite corners of your soul"
The use of the word recondite (meaning obscure or little known) suggests that our divine nature isn't always obvious. It's buried under the noise of daily life.
"But if so, which Christ are you?"
This is the "hinge" of the poem. It moves from the general (Christ exists) to the specific (how does Christ manifest in you?).
The Litany of Identities:
The poet then lists various stages of Christ's life, asking the reader to self-identify:
The Newborn / Inner voices singing Glory: Represents a state of new beginnings, innocence, or the "honeymoon phase" of faith.
The Teacher / The One making miracles: Represents active service, sharing wisdom, and changing the world around you.
The Betrayed One / The Forgiving One: Focuses on the Christ of suffering and emotional resilience. Are you currently hurting, or are you in the process of letting go?
The One carrying the crosses of others: Represents empathy and intercessory sacrifice.
The Crucified / Resuscitated One: Represents the cycle of death to self and spiritual rebirth.
"Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father."
This is a sophisticated inclusion. It refers to John 20:17. In this context, it suggests a stage of transition—being in the world but not of it, or the realization that one's spiritual journey is not yet complete.
"You must decide... Why? Only you can explain"
The poet places the responsibility of spiritual identity squarely on the reader. It is not for a priest or a book to decide; it is an internal "explanation" between the soul and God.
"Lord, I am not worthy that you dwell under my roof..."
This is a direct liturgical reference (The Centurion's Prayer). By including this, Godoij balances the "Christ within" concept with a necessary humility. It ensures the poem doesn't lean into ego, but rather into a humble acceptance of grace.
Imagery and Themes
1. The Internal Landscape
The imagery shifts from the external (Bethlehem, the manger) to the internal (the "recondite corners" and the "roof" of the soul). The poem treats the human heart as the new Bethlehem—the place where the divine is born.
2. The Archetypal Journey
The poem uses the life of Jesus as a map for human experience. It suggests that the "Christ-life" isn't just one feeling, but a spectrum of experiences including joy, betrayal, exhaustion, and triumph.
Meaning for the Believer
For a believer, this poem is likely to be deeply convicting yet empowering.
From Passive to Active: It moves the believer from being a "spectator" of the Nativity to a "participant" in the Incarnation. It suggests that Christmas is a daily internal event, not a yearly calendar event.
Validation of Suffering: By asking "Are you the Betrayed One?" or "The Crucified One?", the poem gives spiritual meaning to a believer's personal pain. It suggests that when we suffer, we are actually "being" Christ in that moment.
Integration of Faith: It encourages the believer to be "Master of your Belief." This isn't a call to heresy, but a call to ownership. It asks the believer to stop reciting a faith they were taught and start living a faith they have experienced.
Final Thoughts
The poem concludes with an invitation to "Be that Christ that lives in your Heart." It's a call to authenticity. It suggests that the most "Christian" thing a person can do is to honestly identify which part of the divine journey they are currently walking and to inhabit that role without fear.
