(CNS photo)
2021 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Did you ever notice how many journeys were involved in the Christmas stories we delight to hear once again at this time of year?
- When the Angel Gabriel visited Mary to announce to her that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Messiah, he also told her that her elderly relative, Elizabeth, was miraculously expecting a child. Mary went with haste to visit her, a journey of close to 100 miles, and she stayed with her three months, then journeyed back to Nazareth.
- Mary and Joseph journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem, also close to a 100-mile journey, to register for the census in the City of David, a city whose name means “house of bread,” so that there the Son of David, who would sit upon his royal throne forever, could be born. Mary and Joseph had to make a journey so that the Bread of Life could be born in the “house of bread” and be laid in a feeding trough so that he could be true food for the life of the world.
The shepherds, after witnessing a choir of angels, journeyed the short way from the fields where they tended their flocks to the city where Jesus was cradled in a manger. There they feasted their eyes upon the finest Lamb of sacrifice they had ever seen.- The Magi followed a star on a journey from “countries far” to Jerusalem, then to Bethlehem, then back home, having seen no mere star but the Light of the World.
- The little Holy Family journeyed to Egypt to flee from the death-dealing jealousy of King Herod, and from there God called his Son back to the Promised Land, just as he had done for his beloved people so many centuries before.
God’s love was on the move! His plan of salvation was for those who had the “get-up-and-go” to make some difficult and often unexpected journeys in life. And so it is with us. The little Jesus who touches our hearts, calls all of us to make some treacherous and adventuresome journeys.
- For some, it is the journey back to Mass after being away because of the pandemic. For others the journey away began long before the pandemic, due to a hurt experienced in the Church; or to boredom and a lack of understanding that the Mass is a physical encounter with the living Jesus Christ, who wants so much to be with us in intimate communion. The journey back may be difficult, but we pray many will make it. Those of us who never left can help others on their journey back by witnessing the joy and love we receive when we come into the presence of the Word-made-flesh.
- For others, the journey is toward a relative or friend with whom they have been estranged for a very long time, so that the Prince of Peace can restore the joy of their youth.
- For many, moving toward Jesus is a mysterious and treacherous journey in which they might have to give up a great deal of comfort, pride and foolish independence; or face fear of the unknown.
All who made their journeys in the Gospel stories of Christmas risked a great deal, yet there was not one regret among them. Yes, they may have set out with fear and trepidation, but soon along the way they discovered that God is with us — Emmanuel! The journey then turned from a drudgery into a joy!
Whatever journey we must make to adore the newborn King, let nothing stand in our way! No matter what we may have to leave behind or what dangers we may face along the way, the end of the journey is pure joy to the world! Come, let us adore him, Jesus Christ our Lord!
Christmas blessings to you and all your loved ones!
