(Talk was begun by holding up the ‘little chapel with the statue, and the light on, playing a Christmas carol)
This “little tabernacle” (holding it up) if you like, gives us the essential images of the true meaning of Christmas .Christ is our light, and once we accept that fact, and allow it to penetrate our daily life and awareness, then we will always have a joyful song/message in our hearts , which we joyfully share with others. An old Chinese proverb states:” a bird does not sing because it has an answer .It sings because it has a song”. So many folks in various settings, remain silent because they think they do not have an answer, or that, they have nothing to contribute. How sad? The Monastic Way for March of this year had this to say:”Life is full of people who had a song in them that few, if any, felt they were meant to sing”. Remember Susan Boyle –they were laughing at her, and judging her appearance, but when she began to sing, which in her case too mighty courage, their face reflected their ‘shock’. So as we look at this, it can also bring home to each of us that we too are ‘little tabernacles’ because in each of us is the light/the Spirit of Christ. He came as one of us to powerfully convey that as individual human beings, we, like Mary, bring Him to others every day.
So Christmas is not a day, but a lifetime, an attitude towards ourselves and others, and indeed all of life .Hence we are called Christians-Christ’s people. I was very interested in what I read in the Heartland-Sun Times for this month: Sgt Michael Cox, on active duty, having served tours of duty as a Chaplain Assistant in Iraq and Afghanistan, on a 52- day leave, the single sergeant decided to ”make a statement” by marching and hiking across Fl. He said:”I hope to bring greater public awareness to help honor my buddies who died and can no longer walk among us .I’m walking for them and for the fallen veterans of our wars in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere”That beyond admirable .This is what Jesus came to do –To Walk With Us, not just for today, but everyday of our lives.. His light –his Spirit is within us. So just as this wonderful exemplary soldier is ‘walking for others’ so too we can walk with others and allow the light, the song, our unique gifts to enrich them. And this leads us to our beautiful readings for Christmas.
Our first reading from Isaiah 9 ”The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing . . .For a child is born to us, a son is given to us ;upon his shoulder dominion rests .They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever Prince of Peace .His dominion is vast and forever peaceful .Our responsorial psalm:” Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, all you lands .Announce his salvation day after day. Tell his glory among the nations” .Our second reading from Paul to Titus;” Beloved the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope-Jesus Christ .May his light remind us of who we are, and the great calling we all have from Him. AMEN
|
