Welcome to the fourth Sunday of Advent. This is the time of year when the wait for Christmas becomes almost agonizingly unbearable. Holiday shopping is in full swing with people buying, buying, buying. The Marthas of the world are busy organizing and prepping holiday meals. Companies are showing their appreciation for their employees by having ‘Holiday Parties’ and sending ‘Seasons Greetings’. The festivities end with someone drinking a little too much eggnog and eating a little too much barbecue. The children begin stalking the Christmas tree and trying to guess if they got exactly what they ordered. Yes, ‘tis the season for gift-giving.
It is important to take a step back to remember what this upcoming Holy-Day is all about. I am continually amazed that those who don’t believe in God also want to celebrate on the day of Jesus’ birth. I remember a few years ago my mom was speaking to a grocer at the check-out stand; the checker asked what we were planning for Christmas. My mom replied, “Go to Church to celebrate the birth of our newborn king.” The lady said that for her, Christmas was about getting together with family; no mention of the reason for the season at all. I began thinking of the insanity of celebrating a day that people don’t believe in. If I didn’t celebrate the birth of Jesus, I would celebrate on December 27th, when I could go shopping for things I don’t really need and give things people don’t really want, two days after Christmas when things are marked down 75%.
Gift giving is a good. Generosity is a good. People like receiving presents from those they love. But let’s not forget the reason we are celebrating. Yes, Christmas is a time for joy and fun and family. Christmas is a time for leisure and recreation. However, Christmas is first and foremost a time for worship. It is a time for telling those you love about Jesus, who is the true gift given to mankind from the heart of the Father.
It was the will of God that God should become man. It was a stupendous gift that defies all understanding that the King and Creator of all things should humble himself to be born of a Virgin. It is a mystery why he chose to be born in a manger instead of a castle. If I had to guess, I would say that he did it to teach us that the greatest gifts are those that don’t cost a penny, but are priceless.
‘Tis the season for gift giving. I hope each of you receives exactly what you desire this year. Still, I find it curious that we receive presents on someone else’s birthday. So this Holy-Day season, what if we give Jesus a birth day present? As I approach the manger this Christmas morn, I have decided to give Jesus my life, my gratitude, my surrender, my love, and my worship. I have decided to wrap my gift in the virtues that I am striving to live: faith, hope, love, prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude. I pray and hope you will join me in offering gifts to our newborn king as well.
Peace,
Seminarian Benjamin
