The Lessons of Christmas

 

I wrote this a few years ago, but was wonderfully reminded on a social media post that popped up. The gifts have been opened, the presents saved or returned, the dishes stored away and the dry season of winter is laid out before us. But Christmas, this feeling in our spirits must continue to permeate our every day lives. The joys of our faith and family, the love shared in abundance cannot fade. 

    Definitely on the struggle bus this holiday.. Maybe it’s still all the virus drama, hitting too close to home. Maybe just drama in general.. who knows. 

    I do know heading into Advent my best friend lost her mom. Even though she was 95, yes lived a full life.. never easy to lose your mom. It got me thinking about my mom, my sister, my dad and all those no longer with us. I was melancholy for sure. 

    So I prayed, Lord help me find the joy this holiday, give me the grace to see you as the center. Last night I subbed at 7 pm for adoration.. and I took it because I knew there was a holiday concert with Taylor Tripodi at the church the same time.. maybe I would hear it.  I posted as I do “How can I pray for you” as I knelt before the blessed sacrament.. and then I heard it.. the concert, the sound wafting over to the adoration chapel. It brought me to tears.. I do love Christmas music.

     I spent the hour enjoying the music and praying for the prayer requests that came in… but the last one got me. A friend asked me to pray for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery.. This friend has older children.. a surprise baby?? Just then Taylor sang Joy to the world.. and there is was.. the joy in a new life.. the joy of an unexpected birth so many years ago. Jesus. The joy of Christmas.

Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

Before prayer this morning after looking at the feast day I pondered the fact that after every mass we, Gods people, are sent to share the good news. 

Morning prayer has this passage from Psalm 24

The Lord’s is the earth and its fullness, 

the world and all its peoples. 

It is he who set it on the seas;

on the waters he made firm.

Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?

Who shall stand in his holy place?

The man with clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things, who has sworn so as not to deceive his neighbor.

He shall receive blessings from the Lord and reward from the God who saves him.

Such are the men who seek him, seek the God of Jacob. 

So back to my original reflection. If we are sent, how do we respond?

Sometimes the closest anyone will get to Jesus is through us. Will they see him? Will they feel his presence? Will they come to know his love? 

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called children of God. Yet so we are.

In our every day ordinary dealings with those around us let us never forget we are.