“God has spoken to us through the Son” (Hebrews 1:2).
Dear brothers and sisters in the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,
The Lord God has spoken to you and me. His word is a blessing. His blessing is the Baby Jesus lying in a manger, with Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds and all their animals adoring Him. Jesus is God’s word of blessing to us all.
In order for us to celebrate Jesus and His Christmas, what will it cost us? In other words, what price are we willing to pay?
Let us ask Mary first. What did it cost her to have Jesus? It nearly cost her her marriage to Joseph. Only the timely intervention of an angel convinced Joseph, her betrothed, not to do "the right thing" and send her away, but rather “the loving thing” and expose himself to ridicule.
What did it cost Mary and Joseph together? Practically, their home. When they learned that Herod's soldiers would soon arrive with murderous thoughts on their minds, their brief journey to Bethlehem stretched into years of exile in Egypt.
What did it cost the Magi? Many months, perhaps even years, of arduous travel. And the shepherds? They had to risk descending from the high meadows into the town below, where they would be subject to abuse and ridicule from the town people.
What does Christmas cost us? Perhaps a whopping big bill on our January credit-card statement? Really?! Let’s be real. Those bills are for whom? For whom do we spend? For Jesus or for ourselves? The truth is that Christmas really costs us nothing. Jesus is a free gift from God. But how are we receiving Him?
There’s a story of a woman who was Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves and other things in the store, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids. She was feeling what so many of us feel during this time of the year: overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, 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 and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all her purchases. When the doors closed, she couldn’t take it anymore and stated, “Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot.” From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, “Don’t worry, we already crucified him.” For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Are we truly receiving Jesus, the true Christmas gift and blessing from heaven or have we already thrown Him out?! Please reconsider the meaning and significance of this day.
“God has spoken to us through His Son” (Hebrews 1:2) and “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Let us really receive Jesus like Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds and their animals and the Magi. Let us give Him some room in our hearts so He could breathe.
GOD BLESS Y’ALL AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Pax Christi
