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The time has come... the time
of the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies-- the people in darkness have
seen a great light. Today we are the people in darkness, we are the ones
who have seen the great light. The people of Isaiah's time had been
decimated by war. They were a broken people, their hearts had been torn
out of them. Isaiah promises them joy, new hope. We are that people. The
time has come today, we have seen the great light; we have been filled
with joy, for unto us is born a Savior. Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace, His dominion is vast His throne is firm
forever.
When the time came for Jesus
to be born there was no room. The inn was too crowded; it was filled
with those who could afford a nice place to stay. In our day it is still
too crowded. For the poor, the homeless, the victims of natural and
man-made disasters, there is still no room. In the midst of the lights,
decorations, and songs, there are many who are abandoned.
Has Christmas been reduced to sales receipts and credit card bills? Is
the day after Christmas the end of it all? Does it go back into the box
with all the decorations until next year?
It cannot be that way for those who follow Christ. We must make room for
Him in our hearts. We must become like the shepherds in Luke's gospel,
like the poor who have the good news proclaimed to them. The shepherds
were people on the fringe of their society. They were poor. We
don't think of ourselves as poor, at least not financially. We have the
means to live fairly comfortable lives. But when we allow ourselves the
genuine luxury of quiet, when we allow ourselves to really experience
the dark and the cold of the world around us, we become frightened. The
pain out there is real. There are real people hurting.
We read about them every day.
We see them in our papers, on the television, on our block. They
challenge our safety. They challenge the very meaning of our lives. If
today they suffer, tomorrow it could be you or me.
This Christmas let us
experience the good news as the shepherds did. And not the way we would
like it to be. The Son of God was not born in a mansion, a palace, or a
fine hospital. Born in a stable, He was placed in the animals’ feeding
trough. We will not find God where we expect to find Him. The Christmas
story tells us: God's ways are not our ways! But His ways can become our
ways. We have seen His light! We have heard His good news! Our God is
with us!
The priests and staff of St. Kieran Church wish you a very blessed
Christmas!
May God grant you and your
loved ones joy and peace.
May you share the love of
Christ with everyone you meet! |
