SNMOC - Lost that Christmas Spirit??? Find it Here!

So many of us go through the “holidays” running from one place to another in a mad dash to buy presents for everyone on their list; hoping to outdo the things that we did last year.  We seem to think that if we don’t get one child the same amount of “stuff” as the other child, then someone is going to get their feelings hurt or that someone is going to feel left out.  

So… we keep running from one place to the other, buying this and that; the latest and greatest “thing” that the modern world has to offer, and we think in the back of our minds that this year, we will finally catch that elusive “Christmas Spirit”… And wonder why we fail to do so in the end.  In fact, we find that all we’ve managed to do is teach our children how to imitate our own holiday neuroses and insecurities.  We have managed to perpetuate the very behavior that has been the cause of depression, anxiety and even suicides during this time of year.

It wasn't always like that... And it doesn't have to be like this anymore.

I'd like to share a word with you this Christmas.  St. John the Apostle wrote very succinctly the meaning of Christmas when he was inspired to write,

“For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever should believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

This is a gift that transcends all of history and all of what is to come.  His coming mended time itself. It cemented in place the bridge that Adam and Eve tore down.

He did not come for just some or a privileged few. He came that “all” would believe and partake of the greatest of all gifts.  The Father did not give his Son out of some feeling of “having to” or trying to outdo some other gift.  The Father gave this gift out of the greatest of all motivations… He did so out of love. How many Gods have ever done so much for their creation? How many kings gave up so much for so many? How many greats had become the least for you and me? How do we honor such sacrifice? We accept the gift and then we imitate it towards all. Not just some or a few... ALL...

The greatest gift we can give is our time, our love and our compassion for each other.   For Christmas this year, let your gift be this…

“That you love one another… as I have loved you.” John 13:34-35

Jesus said to His disciples,

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you  sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”  Matthew 25:35-40

Dear ones… Go and be reconciled to that family member you haven’t spoken to in years. Sons and daughters, seek out your parents that you may be at odds with and forgive and be willing to be forgiven for the grievances of old. Time is brief and fleeting. Be thou imitations of Christ in all ways. LOVE can be a warm coat to a cold person. It can be a shelter for someone without a home. It can be the hand of reconciliation to one who thinks they are beyond reconciling. And it can be mercy where none could otherwise be found.

And to those that search and wander still for purpose and meaning in this life, wise men still seek Him (the Christ). If you want to truly experience the true reason for Christmas… Then ponder these words written above. Search your heart and you’ll find that Christmas begins with a King born of lowly means but of the greatest and noblest of reasons. Emmanuel means "God is with us". And He is and ever shall be.

What a strange beautiful, way to save the world…

Priest Benedict+
"A beggar who gives alms..."