Dec 24, 2007
Man's great, true hope which holds firm in spite of all disappointments can only be God—God who has loved us and who continues to love us “to the end,” until all “is accomplished” (cf. Jn 13:1 and 19:30). –Pope Benedict XVI , Spes Salvi
In two days presents are opened, stockings are stuffed, and families gather around to celebrate another year of survival. Filled with great conversation, big meals, game nights, and holiday movies, these times are cherished by individuals and families all over the world. While I could, I am not going to be another one of those guys who gives a lame lecture on the “reason for the season” but I would like to share what is on my heart as we approach Christmas day.
A couple of weeks ago I had the joy of visiting a family that is very dear to me. Upon my arrival, their little girl who is 3 ran to me, grabbed my hand, and was very excited to lead me over to the new Christmas decorations. I quickly made the assumption that she was excited to show me the Christmas tree and stockings, but I was wrong. She took me over to the corner of the living room to show me the manger scene. She looked with excitement and amazement upon the beautiful snap shot of that cold winter night the Son of God was born. Being my curious self, I started to ask her questions about the scene. She knew Mary, Joseph, and the angel and hopefully be next year she will know the other characters. Then I asked where baby Jesus was. She whispered, “He is not here yet…but he is coming soon to makes things all better.” My heart was filled with great hope at the innocence and confidence of a child.
My friends, where are your hearts this Advent season? I don’t blame you if we are more concerned with the presents under the tree, or the social plans we have over the next couple of weeks. While all that is good, I wonder if there is more to this season. I wonder if somewhere deep inside of us, our hearts long for something more.
If you take a look around, it is not very hard to see that we need something more. We live in a time and place where hope is dying and the immediate pleasures of this world distract us from an eternal or supernatural reality. As young people, most of us go through the motions of this season and don’t have time to wonder why our hearts are still the same in the new year. Little do we know that the Lord coming at Christmas is not an abstract reality or a mere celebration of something that happened over 2000 years ago. It is a celebration of Jesus’ continuous birth in our lives as we invite and prepare a place for Him everyday. As the Church proclaims, we are an Advent people, a people eagerly awaiting the coming of the Lord into our hearts and lives.
The MORE to this season is truly encountering the Lord in the manger. In that encounter our hearts change and we are given a great hope in what this child came to do. He came to love us and lead us. He came to heal and give life. He came to suffer for us and to die. Ultimately he came to restore our very lives to something MORE. He is coming to make all things better.
With the great hope and confidence of a child…let your hearts be restored this Christmas.
God Bless You,
In Mary who presents her Son in a manger,
Rusty
Question of the week: Have you experienced MORE this Advent?
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