We are entering the fourth Sunday in Advent, and from the 16th of December onward the readings at the Masses have moved from the preparation for Christ’s Second Coming, the end days, to the Nativity of the Lord, His birth on Christmas Day and the intersecting of humanity and Divinity. So let us focus on the meaning of the birth of Christ—for us as an individual, as The Church, and for the world.
Sadly, surveys and polls illustrate that fewer-and-fewer people practice their faith; there is a distinct move away from all faiths and a lack of belief and trust in institutions such as governments, corporations; even a movement away from the traditional family, marriage and all things of the “yesteryear of America.” What are the causes? Materialism, selfishness, distrust and a lack of hope in the world around, perhaps sparked due to “preaching one thing and doing another,” whether we are talking about faith, corporate life and political life. We see movie stars and politicians claiming to be climate protectors while flying around on corporate jets and traveling in long motorcades; religious leaders preaching good will toward all and not living it, and cultural leaders canceling one another out of anger rather than having conversations building up the common good.
To be honest, even the Covid Pandemic has led to mistrust among many and has certainly added to the “institutionalized excuses” of not returning to “normal, in-person life” for the sake of convenience, with all its ripple effects. In the end, for many, there seems to be little in which to hope. And so we—those who believe—have Jesus Christ. And He came on Christmas Day so that we may celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world, the Messiah, and His meaning for Life.
Why did He Come? He came because God so love the world, that He sent His Only Son to be an example of living in faith. He came to bring not selfishness nor the desire to cancel those who disagree with us, but rather to embrace all peoples and to love them and lead them to Him. We are a universal (the meaning of the word “Catholic”) Church based upon two facts: (1) Christ is the Head, the Foundation; and (2) He came for all peoples. In the Old Testament we talk about the “chosen people.” In the New Testament, we talk about The Christ, who came for all so that all might be saved.
That’s the Christmas Hope, which springs from Advent. A Hope that says I can be forgiven, I can be better, I can be saved. It is the Hope that says, “I am loved” by Christ and He desires to save me, to unite me to the Father for all eternity, and to be made whole with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven. No matter what my sins, my weaknesses, my stumbles in life—even the ones I do over -and- over again, I am loved. He will forgive me. He will strengthen me. He will save me. Am I open to that? Will I strive and pray to be better? The only question left for each of us to answer this Advent/Christmastime is: Am I willing to unwrap and open that Christmas Gift? Will I wear that garment of faith day-in, day-out?
Our world needs this Hope today more than ever. We need to eliminate the anger in our politics, in our corporate board rooms and in our houses of worship. We need to see the likeness we all share, our human nature Divinely Created, rather than all the differences that humanity has instituted. We need to see we were not created “wretches” (sorry Calvin and Amazing Grace) but rather we were created in His Likeness and Image. And yes, by accepting His Grace we can be set free. But that will only come from Faith in the Lord. And that begins in the family. We need to be less busy with the outside world—sports, business, politics and the effort of making everyone think our lives are perfect (sorry Facebook), instead be intentional about learning and knowing who He Is. And then follow Him.
So I invite you to return to Church with your family—there is no better family time than that being together with the Lord and to receive Him—much more powerful than being at the soccer fields or on the beach (and I love the beach!). Join your parish in celebrating Christ and His birthday. Take the Lord home with you, take Him with you to work, take Him in the public arena, take Him into corporate boardroom and then to quote St. Catherine of Siena: “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” Become that Bright Light He calls us all to be.
Merry Christmas Blessings to you and yours, and start the new year off with a Hope beyond all telling: Christ the Lord, who Loves you! Christmas Masses are: Christmas Eve at 4 p.m. (children’s liturgy), 6:30 p.m., and 10 p.m.; Sunday, Christmas Day Masses are at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. ..and Christ and I are here every weekend at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday at 8 and 11 a.m.