Word to the Wise
Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - The Nativity of the Lord - Christmas Day
[Isaiah 62:11-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20]When the angels went away from them to heave, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."
This past weekend, I had occasion to "help out" at a local parish for the Saturday Vigil Mass. I arrived in time to hear confessions, which took place in one of the "sacristies" off the sanctuary. When I walked into the room, I found all the statues for the crib scene sitting there, waiting to be placed in the church in time for the celebration of the Christmas Masses. They weren't arranged in any order but were more of less like actors milling around backstage, waiting for their cue! In fact, I had to move several to make room for the two chairs for hearing confessions! It was a bit strange to sit there with them all looking a bit abashed and out of place. Soon their role would be glorious and effective at stirring the feelings and prayers of the People of God. No doubt, some child or family would be carrying "Baby Jesus" up the aisle to place him in the manger at the beginning of Mass! The question arises, however, as to those "feelings and prayers!" The shepherds who originally went to Bethlehem and "found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger" went away and "made known the message that had been told them about this child." Is it easier or less embarrassing to say, "Merry Christmas!" than to say, "Christ is born" (or at Easter to say, "Happy Easter" instead of "Christ is risen!")? The figurines in the sacristy and the "stable" are not the story, no more than the sets and actors are the play! It is the drama that should draw us into the experience of this greatest moment in the history of the world! As important as the actors and sets may be, it is the play that touches the heart and mind. It is the birth of the Savior! We are told "Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heard." The shepherds "returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them." God grant us all that inward reflection and that outward praise on this Christmas Day. AMEN TO MY BELOVED CONGREGATION: I wish you, with all my heart, that inward touch of the birth of the Savior in your own hearts and the grace to proclaim it like the shepherds. Christ is born! And MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
config
view
logs
3840.0 KB
80 ms
4
