Word to the Wise
Sunday, December 26, 2010 - The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ [Christmas Day]
[Isaiah 62:11-12; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20]So [the shepherds] went in haste and found Mary and Joseph and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
If you wish to witness amazement, try saying "Christ is born!" in place of "Merry Christmas!" The shepherds, of course, would not have known our secular greeting. What they knew was that there had been a revelation and they needed to go and see for themselves. When they saw for themselves what was happening, they went out and proclaimed it. Then they returned to glorify and thank God for what they had seen and heard. Mary is presented as a model disciple as well for her reflection on all these events. Can very many of us say that we are inspired after seeing the manger scene to say "Christ is born!" [instead of "Merry Christmas!"] to the check out clerk at the next store we go to, or to our friends, or to our family?
In many parishes it has become fashionable to read [usually at "Midnight Mass"] the official proclamation of Jesus' birth - a wonderful piece that truly situates his birth in human history. But this will remain simply a part of the beautiful and elaborate liturgical celebration that we expect at that particular liturgy unless we leave the church proclaiming that same news: CHRIST IS BORN! Perhaps at the end of Mass, instead of rushing out, we could go back to that manger scene and take one more look and then go where we need to go and cause some amazement by telling folks: CHRIST IS BORN! and THEN say, "Merry Christmas!"
To each and every member of my Beloved Congregation, I share the Good News: CHRIST IS BORN! And I promise you a very grateful and fond remembrance at the celebration of the Eucharist at the parish in my hometown of Natchitoches, LA. AMEN
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