 Christmas Meditations Presented are a series of Christmas meditations from December 25 to the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple Christmas Day Celebrating Love Joyful, joyful!!! This is the day we celebrate God's humanization and our divinization! This is the day we celebrate love! But love is not always predictable or easily defined. And, contrary to what Paul says in his often-quoted First Letter to the Corinthians, love is not always the unemotional, patient, strictly controlled force described there. Yes, love is kind and not self-seeking; but love is also drawn to excess, extravagance, exuberance. Love is characterized by impatience to be with the love one, by an excessive willingness to sacrifice for the good of the other, by an exuberant delight in the other. Love is characterized by passion. Today we celebrate the excessive, extravagant exuberance of God's love for us. Today we celebrate God's yearning for human intimacy, which could be fulfilled only by becoming one of us. Today we celebrate the expansive, limitless, consuming fire of God's love. The Incarnation - God's coming to earth as one of us - the the act of a passionate Lover! Consider: In what ways do I think of God's love for us as being similar to human love? In what ways do I think 9of God's love for us as being different from human love? How is my love for God similar to my love for another human being? How does it differ? 1ST DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS Celebrating the Gospel's Challenge Only if we have prepared for an adult Christ coming at Christmas, only if we have looked at the radicalism of his gospel, only if we have accepted the challenges of being Christian, only then can we possibly understand and accept the story of Steven, the first martyr of the Christian faith. Here we are, the day after Christmas. Amid the trappings, with Christmas lullabies playing in the background, we exchange the red of Santa's outfit and Rudolph's nose for the red of a martyr's blood! Stephen, whose story comes to us in the Acts of the Apostles, is a dedicated convert to the new religion; he is the first of the "seven" chosen by the apostles to serve the poor. Stephen becomes the first of an unknown number of people throughout time to be martyred for being a Christian. Christ did not come into this world to be confined to a sentimental story told yearly to children. Christ did not come so that we could be enveloped in an annual frenzy of tinsel and cards and cookies. Christ came to teach us to love - the price of love may be a martyr's death. This is what the gospel teaches us. Christian love, as Christ defined and lived love, may exact a terrible price in tears and blood and anguish. Consider: How do I define love? How did Christ define or describe love? How do I feel about considering the death of Stephen the day after Christmas? Whom do I know who is a martyr for his or her beliefs? 2nd DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS Celebrating the Word Although John the Evangelist did not write any Infancy Narratives, he wrote some of the most beautiful poetry ever written about Christ's birth. In the beginning was the Word, A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man's decision but of God. And the Word became flesh Consider: What are some of the poetic ways in which I refer to God: for example, Word, Light, Wind, Mystery, Womb, Fire, Love, Existence? What are the most meaningful ways in which I relate to God: for example, as the Trinity, the human-divine Christ, the Creator, the Holy Spirit? What are the advantages of thinking of God in such terms? 3rd DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS Celebrating the Life-Death Journey Martyrdom of innocent babies! How do we celebrate this experience when Herod, fearing the threat of a king to displace his own kingdom, had all children under three years old killed in Bethlehem. Can we grieve and rejoice simultaneously? In fact, that is exactly what we as Christians are called to do. From the very first Christmas, death is inevitably involved in the Incarnation, for the specter of the cross was there at Bethlehem. The marvel of God's becoming human is not just that God put on an infant's helplessness; nor is it that God assumed, for a time our human limitations. No, the wonder of the Incarnation is that God became humnan even to taking on death., Only in that way could God become completely human, for death is an integral part of our life. To be born is to take the first step toward death. Thus, what we are celebrating at the Incarnation is that the God-Who-Is chose to become a creature who would die. That is the wonder of Christmas! And so, yes, death is here at Christmas. The manger scene takes place under the shadow of death; the historical Jesus, because he was born, would die. Christ's birth is the beginning of his life-death-resurrection journey, just as we begin our own death journey at birth. We can regard this life journey morbidly, or we can regard it joyfully and gratefully as the way in which we pass through life-in-time into life-in-eternity. Does it seem inappropriate to speak of death at this season of joyous celebration of birth. To those who are grieving now, we extend our sympathy; we assist them in bearing their grief. But we also recognize that, because of their loss, they are forced to look at the meaning of human existence - both in time and in eternity. And that is exactly what we are all called to do in this Incarnation Season: to view the whole of life. We look back at Christ's existence on earth and look forward to his coming at the end of time. Consider: What is my attitude toward death and Christmas? Do I know people who are in mourning this Incarnation Season? What can I do to let them know 5they have not been forgotten or abandoned? How might I help them still celebrate the Incarnation? Do I know people who have been grieving a loved one? 4th DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS Celebrating Church What is it about Christmas that draws people to church? Buildings that are sparsely filled the rest of the year are standing room only on Christmas. People who are ordinarily embarrassed by the sacred come to church. Why? Do people attend church on Christmas because they think it is expected of them? Are they responding to the inviting setting of decorations and flowers and special music? Is their attendance only the result of all the seasonal trappings? Or could it be that the remotest possibility of the Incarnation being true - that God, Almighty God, became a human being - is so radical that it demands response? Could it be that people who hear very little of what the Churches say and do all year are so moved by the immensity of this idea - that God-made-human was born and died for us - that they bend head and knee in awe at the mere possibility of its being true? What does this say about those of us who actually profess belief in such a thing? Every year, every week, every day, we affirm the truth of such a remarkable event. Because we have believed it for so long, has it lost its impact for us? Consider: What if the Incarnation never really happened? How would that affect my life? How does my celebration of the Incarnation reflect my beliefs? How does my life reflect my belief in the Incarnation? What can I do now to make this Incarnation Season a holy, happy, fulfilling one for me and for my family? 5th DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS Celebrating Surprises "SURPRISE!" The Archangel Gabriel might have begun his greeting to Mary with that word. Mary might have begun her announcement to Joseph in the same manner" "Surprise, Joseph - I'm pregnant!" "Surprised" probably could describe the reaction of the shepherds and the Magi when they came to worship the manger-born King. "Surprised" certainly is an understated description of the Jewish people's reaction to Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. There is an abundance of surprises in the Incarnation story that we can easily overlook because of our familiarity with the account. Nonetheless, the surprises are there, just as surprises have always been an integral part of salvation history. Whenever humankind has tried to anticipate God's plan, we have encountered problems. God has had the habit of calling upon the lowly to lead and the inarticulate to preach. Providence seems to enjoy confusing us with blessings disguised as crosses; divine Wisdom's plots often involve making the first last and the last first. There is a sense of surprise in much of what God does. Our part in this story of salvation history is to remain open to God's plan, for when life isn't progressing according to our design we may find ourselves encountering a divine surprise. How fortunate we are! Not only is our God a God of love and mercy, but also a God with a sense of humor! Consider: How has the God of Surprises acted in my life? What has been my initial response to these surprises? My later response? Why is it often so difficult to accept these surprises? New Year's Eve On this day, perhaps more than any other day of the year, we are aware of the passage of time. Another year is ending. This day, this month, this year shall never come again. In all of time and in all of timeless eternity, now shall never be repeated. As we prepare to end this year and begin another, we encounter the God of the Eternal Now. On this day, perhaps more than any other day of the year, we are aware of two of God's greatest gifts to us. The first is the blessing of memory. Memory makes us human. Through memory we learn and communicate; through memory we recognize the significance of the people and events of the past; through memory we memorialize. The other gift is the blessing of forgetfulness. On this last day of the year, we collect the unpleasant memories of the past year. We let these hurts, real or imagined, from friend and family become likes ashes scattered in the winds of divine love. We let our disappointments become fertile ground for new hopes and dreams. On this last day of the year we collect together all the pleasant, happy memories of the past. We let our achievements and accomplishments reflect God's glory, generosity and love. We enter the New Year surrounded by thoughts of good and memories of good and expectations of good. Consider: How can I go about forgetting hurtful recollections of the past? How can I learn to concentrate on the good and happy thoughts of the past? What difference does it make from now on whether I think about the pleasant memories or the unhappy memories? How important are my expectations of what is to come? Why? January 1, 2005 Christians recognized early the importance of Epiphany, of God-Made-Manifest, for the celebration of Epiphany predates that of Christmas. This ancient feast has been known throughout the ages by various names: the Feast of Kings, Twelfth Night, The Last Day of Christmas. January 6th, the traditional date for the celebration of Epiphany, follows the twelve days of Christmas. During Advent we anticipated the comings of Christ; during the Christmas Season we celebrate his historical coming with both activities and times of quiet. As Epiphany comes, we have no reason for gloom or for post-holiday depression, for it is only now that we can celebrate the fullness of the entire season. Only now has the Incarnation Season come full cycle. Epiphany is the fullness of the Incarnation. We are celebrating not simple the arrival of the those men of mystery, the Magi, but the manifestation of God to everyone! All history has been preparation for this feast when we recognize, accept and proclaim the wonderment of God-Made-Flesh. Christ has come! Maranatha! Christ is here, within us, around us. We proclaim the gospel message of justice and love to all. Today we celebrate the God of Glory - alleluia! We celebrate Emmanuel - God with us! January 2, 2005 One day St. Francis of Assisi invited a friend to preach with him. The two brothers left the monastery and began to stroll the streets of Assisi. Francis never passed a person without extending a cheerful greeting. The kids got a hug and an eye-level smile. The mothers with babies in arms received compliments on their beautiful offspring. He wished merchants well, welcomed newcomers to Assisi and listened to the elderly with respect. Eventually Francis and the young man arrived back at the monastery. The puzzled brother asked why they had not preached. "We preached as we walked" was the answer of gentle Francis. Epiphany is the time when we proclaim to the world what we are celebrating. Some of us are called to proclaim in sermon or written form the story of God's love; some of us are called to proclaim it in words to students or to our children; but all of us are called to proclaim the story in our lives. Consider: How might Francis walk through my day? What beliefs about the Incarnation might be construed from "listening" to the preaching of my actions? How effective is this kind of preaching? January 3, 2005 At all times we celebrate stories! Now, we are celebrating the wonderful, joyful Incarnation. This is but a single chapter of the story of salvation history, which continues to be written, as it will until Judgment Day. It is through the age-old custom of storytelling that our forefathers and foremothers once again come alive. It is through storytelling that we provide nourishment to the young to develop the roots they need through life. It is through storytelling that we help them discover who they are, for the past has helped form them. We also celebrate the stories of today, by telling, in our own particular words and in our own particular time and for our own particular generation, how God has worked - and continues to work - now. God is here: in and among us. And when we tell our story, we are adding this chapter to the salvation history story. We tell the story to our family as we recount our day around the dinner table. We tell the story to our coworkers at coffee breaks and in the carpool. We tell the story to our friends in our letters and phone calls. Our story is unveiled in the current chapter of the complete story of salvation history. And, of course, we listen. we listen to the stories of others, to see how God is working in their lives. Together, in our telling and in our listening, we celebrate us! We celebrate our stories! Consider: What is my favorite Incarnation story? Why? What is my favorite Incarnation memory? Why? What, so far, is most memorable about this Incarnation season? Why? What is my story? How do I view my story as part of salvation history? January 4, 2005 As the day of Epiphany approaches on January 6, we are reminded again that this season is about Jesus manifesting Himself as God. We celebrate the initial manifestation in the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, his manifestation to Israel, and then celebrate on the 6th his manifestation to the gentile world through the visit of the Magi, the first meeting between the God of Israel and representatives of gentile nations. The word Epiphany comes from the Greek "phainein" which means "to bring to light, to cause to appear, to show. The Greek word "epiphainein" then means to manifest, a sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something; an intuitive grasp of reality through something usually simple and striking. The Light of God splits the darkness of the world of man; first the people of Israel and then the people of the gentile nations. Paul reported that we gentiles were cut off from the people of the promise and that a great divide separated us, but in the person of Jesus, the wall of separation no longer existed. John the Evangelist, said that the Light came into the world, but the world could not comprehend the Light for the world was darkness. This Epiphany of Jesus is indeed a time of celebration for both the people of Israel and for all gentile people. In Him we have hope in the great darkness in which we live. Let us celebrate and develop a deep attitude of gratitude for the Incarnation when God chose to dwell among us and then for His choice to reveal Himself to us in the humble Presentation of Himself in the Temple where his parents dedicated him to His Father and then in the the meeting with the Magi!!!! January 5, 2005 The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple This feast called "Hypopanty", a Greek word meaning "Meeting" is the first encounter of Jesus, our Savior, with His people. Christ comes into the midst of the temple, the gathering place of all the people of God and even of some Gentiles assembled to pray and to fulfill the laws of God handed down by Moses. Jesus, too, wishing to be like us in all things, save sin, that He might sanctify every aspect of human life, enters the Temple carried by His mother and accompanied by Joseph to make the customary offering of two turtledoves or pigeons (see Leviticus 12:2-5). Mary submits to the rite of Purification as an act of obedience to the customary laws. Jesus submits to the laws of God and customs so that He might illumine all human life for He is the Sun of Justice. Simeon then prophesies "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against..." (Luke 2: 33), the fall of unbelievers and the rising of believers through the waters of baptism. Yet Christ is also "a sign which shall be spoken against," a sign of contradiction through the Cross. To die on a Cross, the shame of a social outcast or a criminal, was the way Our Savior brought about our salvation. In the opposing directions of the Cross Christ gathers all peoples without discrimination "as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings" (Luke 13: 34). Christ comes to save all, to bring us back into unity with God, without exclusion. This feast is important today as a message of hope and a message of encouragement. In a society of instant products and many promises, confidence that God has a Plan that is now in progress is not easy. We need the messages of faith and hope shown in today meditation to remind ourselves that God is still in charge of the world no matter how much evil there is in it. We need the reminder that in the fullness of time God is acting. When we fail to celebrate the separate events of the journey to salvation we may miss the message. Let us therefore celebrate our unfailing hope in the promises of God: "I leave you not as orphans...We will come to him and make Our home with him...the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you" (John 14: 18, 23, 26). Feast of Epiphany "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: `And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'" Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way." Matthew 2:1-12 If Jesus truly is who he claims to be, the eternal Son of God and Savior of the world, then why is he not recognized by everyone who hears his word and sees his works? John the Evangelist states that when Jesus came into the world the world knew him not and his own people received him not (John 1:10-11). Jesus was born in obscurity. Only the lowly shepherds recognized him at his birth. Some wise men also found their way to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn King of Israel. These men were not Israelites, but foreigners. They likely had read and discussed the Messianic prophecies and were anxious to see when this Messianic King would appear. God led them by means of an extraordinary star across the desert to the little town where Jesus was born. In their thirst for the knowledge of God, they willingly left everything, their home and country, in pursuit of that quest. In their diligent search they were led to the source of true knowledge -- to Jesus Christ, the Light and Wisdom of God. When they found the newborn King they humbly worshiped him and gave him gifts fitting for a king. What fueled their search for the Messianic King? Faith in the promise of God to send a Redeemer, a King who would establish God's reign of peace and righteousness. Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. It is through the help of the Holy Spirit, who moves the heart and opens the eyes of the mind, that we are able to understand, accept, and believe the truth which God reveals to us. In faith, the human will and intellect cooperate with grace. "Believing is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the will moved by God through grace" (Thomas Aquinas). To know and to encounter Jesus Christ is to know God personally. In the encounter of the wise men with Jesus we see the plan of God to give his only Son as King and Savior, not just for the Jewish people but for all the nations as well. The Lord Jesus came that both Jew and Gentile might find true and lasting peace with God. Let us pray today that Jew and Gentile alike will find the Lord and Savior on their journey of life. Do you bring the light of Jesus Christ to those you meet through the witness of your life and testimony? "Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for bringing salvation to all the nations. May the gospel of salvation be proclaimed to every nation today and to every person on the face of the earth. Help me to be a good witness of the joy of the gospel to all I meet." 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