I remember when I left St. Timothy’s in 2005, I intended to have a Christmas campaign called, “Keep the Mass in Christmas”. Everywhere you look you see the slogan, “Keep Christ in Christmas”. But few people realize that the word Christmas is an old English word which means, “Christ’s mass”. The first time we see the word is in 1038.
For many, Christmas is a nice celebration with a lot of family and a ton of expense. People enjoy the traditions their families maintain, the food they get to consume, and the opening of presents. All of those things are good, but they are not enough. To understand Christ-mass, you must open your heart the depth of love that God shows us at the birth of His Son.
I remember being on a retreat. The retreat giver asked everyone to stand up and shout out their families maintain, the food they get to consume, and the opening of the presents. All those things are good. But they are not enough. To understand Christ-mass, you must open your heart to the depth of love that God shows us at the birth of His Son.
I remember being on a retreat. The retreat giver asked everyone to stand up and shout out their deepest secret. He counted. One. Two. Three. The silence was deafening. No one responded. The retreat master then said, “I am not surprised that no one answered. But, let me tell you, that is exactly what God the Father did for us. He shouted His most intimate secret that He was in love with His people.”
The secret is out. God is in love with us. That is the best thing for us to celebrate this Christmas. And His love extends to everyone.
In addition to going to Church, and keeping family traditions, one of the best things we can do at Christmas time is to pray for peace. Our world is not at peace. We are in turmoil. Nations are at war, families are divided by politics, and our brains overflow with information we don’t need. The birth of the savior gives us hope that peace is possible. If God can love us despite our messes, then we can love ourselves and each other. Love is the basis of peace.
I pray that peace may prevail in Chandler, in our hearts, and in our world. “Today in the town of David a savior is born to us, he is the messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)
Mother Teresa said so beautifully, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” She is right. Because of the birth of Jesus, the secret of God is out, and we are all connected by the love of God our Father.
Have a blessed and peaceful Christmas.