Christmas is a joyful celebration of hope
The nativity scene conveys the true meaning of Christmas
A WOMAN was Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of walking down row after row of toys and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the store elevator with her two children in hand.
She was feeling what so many of us feel during the festive season – getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, making sure we don’t forget anyone on our card list and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.
Finally the elevator doors opened revealing a crowd in the lift.
She pushed her way in and dragged her two kids and all her bags of stuff in with her. As the doors closed she couldn’t take it anymore and blurted out: “Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up, and shot.” From the back of the lift, a quiet, calm voice responded: “Don’t worry, we’ve already crucified Him.” The remainder of the trip down was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Don’t forget this year to keep the one who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase and word. If we all would, just think how much better this world would be.
I love visiting the cribs in various churches at this time of year. Many of you have by now placed your crib in a sacred place at home. Saint Francis of Assisi was the first to introduce visually displaying the crib. He did so in a deliberate portrayal of the deep poverty and yet great love, the Christ child was born into. A young mother and father, placing a tiny little baby in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. There was no room for this baby at the inn, his birth was extra dramatic, where eventually, Mary and Joseph found shelter in a lowly stable.
The first to be made aware of this tremendous new life were the outsiders. Shepherds, by their very nature lived on the outside. Their lives were nomadic and hardship was the norm. I have no doubt that when the angels appeared with the melody of hope, their hearts were instantly lifted. When they went to examine and validate what they had been told, their immediate response was one of wonder and awe, in the presence of Emmanuel ‘God among us’.
Their silence was a prayer filled by God's grace. The birth of Jesus Christ surrounded by cattle and sheep was and continues to be such a powerful encounter, God became one of us. ‘The word became flesh and dwelt among us.’ The birth of Jesus Christ continues to be a great gift for all humanity. His birth isn't something that just happened but, because of his amazing grace, continues to pour hope and new life to us all. Deep in the depth of winter darkness, soon we will be reminded that the light once again conquers the darkest hours of the year. Green shoots erupting from the winter soil remind us that soon we will celebrate a new season. A new time, when God's grace can indeed rejuvenate all our stories.
God's love is a tremendous gift, it's a gratuitous one, not seeking any repayment, but abundantly and generously bestowed upon each one of us, because God loves us first. We can only be a respond with a sense of gratitude and confidence that we belong to a very good news story.
This Christmas I pray that indeed our pathways will be level and smooth. For all who are challenged, may burdens be lessened by the grace of God’s presence. May all our families be blessed with health of body and peace of mind.
