Christmas Then And Now

In last week’s homily I sought to refocus our attention from an imagined future (“Second Coming,” “world peace,” and so on) to present reality: How God comes to us here and now. I also briefly examined the kernel of truth in futuristic speculations: that God is drawing each into a condition of perfection or completion in God alone, ultimately beyond death. On this day, the fourth Sunday of Advent, I seek to explain why we Christians recount stories of the birth of Jesus. What are we trying to do? Why do we tell these stories? Why do we think about the birth of Jesus? We tell these stories not primarily to have us imagine a distant past, but to help us be open here and now to Christ’s living Presence in each of us. In other words, we remember Christ’s birth, not to gain information about “what happened”—because we do not know—but for us to be aware of the Light breaking in, of Christ’s dwelling in our souls, making His home in the manger of our hearts. We can approach the mystery in a different way. What do you experience when stories of the conception and birth of Jesus, and stories about angels, shepherds, wise men are retold? Is it nostalgia you feel for years of Christmas past? Are these stories not vehicles for your remembering so many Christmases celebrated in your past? Yes, they do have power to evoke our pasts, but far more, something different: Hearing with faith the story of Jesus’ birth, we experience wonder, awe, gratitude. Reflecting on the sheer generosity and humility of God, our own hearts and minds are humbled a little, as we think:  For me? For us? Why? And then we remember, “For God so loved the world….” “In Him is light.” “This is Love, not that we loved God, but that He has loved us.” Seeing the manger, hearing the stories of Jesus’ birth, we have a fresh opportunity to be childlike in heart, to be awed by Love that is sheer goodness, utterly self-giving, here for each and for all. Aware of what God has done, we experience God breaking into our souls, our minds, and we experience His love, joy, peace.  As I see it, this experience of Christ here and now is indeed the miracle of Christmas.                   Merry Christmas  to you, to all whom you love, and to everyone.