Christmas

Bulletin: Christmas 2012

Vigil Readings: Isaiah 62: 1-5; Acts of the Apostles 13:16-17, 22-25; Matthew 1: 1-25

Mass during the Night: Isaiah 9:1-6; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14

Mass at Dawn: Isaiah 62: 11-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20

Mass during the Day: Isaiah 52: 7-10; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18

I’m sitting here and remembering. Rarely did I write a message just for Christmas only when the feast fell on a Sunday. I feel a little bit like the Dickens’ mood of Christmas past; Christmas present; and Christmas future.

I’m remembering my very first Christmas in Virginia in 2002 living with Bishop Sullivan at the Cathedral in Richmond. He was so very special to me and to so many others. He always made me feel welcomed, important and special. He didn’t have to pretend, or put on airs, he just was just naturally a good priest and a priest’s priest. So many have shared stories about Bishop Sullivan and I have many myself; I have always valued our friendship and his specialness. Well that first Christmas in Virginia I was far away from family (those who lived in Virginia were quite a distance away). It’s hard being away for the first time from family. I felt a little bit like Mary and Joseph felt, forced to be away from family and having no idea that what happened was the “First Christmas.”

When did Christmas start? The encyclopedia says that it was by the early to mid fourth century, the Western Church had placed the celebration of Christmas on December 25. The original date of the celebration of Christmas in the Eastern Church was January 6.

I remember when I was young one of the priests of the parish said that the loneliest place on Christmas day was the Church; no one came after the masses to Church to visit the crib. In those days the churches were kept open most of the day. I did venture and go to Church twice maybe on Christmas afternoon and it was quiet, eerie even: no one was there, the lights weren’t on even over the crib and it was still except for the wind and snow outside. I left quickly probably because I was afraid, but why should I be afraid at the crib?
I’ve never forgotten that message and maybe have said it once or twice myself; and I always remember the dark, lonely scene in the Church of my youth. But I have tried to remember and celebrate the ‘manger.’ I was fascinated with my first visit to the Holy Land in 2002. It was toward the beginning of January and in every Church we visited the manger scene was up. There was very little difference in the figures but for the most part there wasn’t any ‘cave’ or ‘shed’ where the Holy Family gathered. For the most part the figures were in the open; maybe under an open air shed; the ground was very hilly and rocky with the figures standing at different available spots. And the figures were definitely Eastern in appearance, not northern European.

So how do I celebrate the manger? I now situate the manger in direct sight from ‘my chair’. I look at the figures and whatever one takes my attention, I just let the mind wander. It travels down memory lane to the manger of my youth, to family celebrations, to reflections on who the ‘visitors were’; what they came to see and what they said and did when they left. Many times I just doze off looking at the manger and feel that it’s no problem because I’m sure Joseph did the same. They probably didn’t stay in that place that long, because I’m sure when a more hospitable living quarters came along, Joseph moved Mary and Jesus there. They had to have some spending money since they asked at inns if there was any room. So now I look at the room that I have for them during this season within myself.

The message I give myself is that I give myself permission to let my mind wander on this scene of the first Christmas and go wherever it goes and I give myself permission to reflect on these wanderings. It really turns into a special reflection. There always seems to be time on Christmas Day especially to do some reflection even when I’m at the family gatherings with the many kids ‘doing their own thing.’ It might be involved in watching the presents being opened; or to give thanks at the meal; or listening to the stories and memories of past celebrations and traditions. I don’t have to be involved in the discussions but I do treasure the reflections. And I look and marvel at the homes and their decorations especially the places they have for mementoes and religious figures. It all comes back to God and His love. Of course the love is shown in His being crucified, dying and rising for me and for each person. “Greater love than this….no one has…but to lay His life down….for His friends... (And I love this part a few verses down in John’s gospel) ‘AND YOU ARE MY FRIENDS.”



So I’m grateful and I reflect:

• What Christmas hymns or carols touch me most deeply this season? Am I taking a few moments to reflect on them? This could be Jesus’ message to me this year?
  
• One image I read says, “Jesus is like a present with packaging that makes you expect something very different from what is actually there.” Do I let God surprise me?
  
• There a lot of powerful words at this time, ‘I love you…I’m sorry…Let’s try again…Don’t worry about it’…That was beautiful…You are precious’. Do I use these or more importantly do I avoid any of these? Why? The answer to that question can help me get in touch with Christmas.

Sacred Space 2013 says:

• The Word lives among us. I let this truth sink in more deeply, giving time to allow joy and gratitude to be my response to God’s act of faith in me.
• Among all the lights of this Christmas, I cherish the light that prayer brings to me. I am reassured by the assertion that darkness does not overcome the light, and pray that all who celebrate this feast may experience light and joy.”