Word to the Wise
Monday, December 30, 2019 - Dec. 30 - 6th Day in the Octave of Christmas
[1 John 2:12-17 and Luke 2:36-40]MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2019. SIXTH DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS
[1 John 2:12-17 and Luke 2:36-40]
Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever. [1 John]
When we meet friends and acquaintances in the days before New Year’s(or students returning from Christmas break!), the standard question is “How was your Christmas celebration?” Or words to that effect. It can be interesting to compare the responses. Some will reply in terms of rest and relaxation from the demands of university education. Others will reply in terms of the people who were part of the celebration. Still others will reply in terms of what material gifts were exchanged. A few may reply, “Well, I got engaged!” Then there are some for whom the season was difficult because of a recent loss or some tension in the family. The “reason for the season” seems to vanish with the final blessing at Midnight Mass!
The First Letter of John that provides the first scripture for today reminds us that the material side of life is ever coming and going, but Christ remains. I think those who speak of their Christmas celebration in terms of quality time spent with family and friends come closest to the meaning of Christmas because it is through these relationships of love that we experience what “incarnation” means. God’s love is given to us through a real baby born in real time. ‘Tis baby is not just the figurine in a nativity scene, but the family member or friend with whom we are spending that quality time. It can be found in any efforts we make to help others through the difficulties of this season when hope seems scarce.
The gospel scripture today tells us that a prophetess, an elderly woman in the temple, saw Jesus and realized her hopes were being fulfilled. In this season, if we can see the newborn Christ in one another, then truly we can respond to the question about our Christmas and say, “God was present the whole time and we had a great celebration.” AMEN