“HOW was your Christmas?” It is a question often being asked today with the assumption that Christmas is over and the celebration is done until next year. But Christmas is not a yearly event. It is more than gazing upon and singing carols about a new born baby. It is remembering that this infant child is both God’s Son and the son of Mary, born of her sacred womb. Christmas is a lifetime commitment to being a light in the darkness, being peace where there is hatred and violence, sharing food, donating clothing and providing shelter for those whose needs are greater than our own, protecting children who are abused and abandoned, visiting the lonely and forgotten, recognizing the ignored who are considered elderly and “throwaways”. So the question is “WHO is your Christmas?”
What if Christmas conversation would include the name of Jesus and how you have grown in love with Him? What if you found the courage to say His name more often in conversations with family, friends and co-workers? What if you made the promise to invite others to know more about Him? What if you took a stand when you heard someone use the sacred name of Jesus in vain, in anger or in any way that lacks respect? What if you would say with deep love for Him: HIS NAME IS JESUS.
As we continue to celebrate during this Christmas season, let us take time to ponder the greatest gift we have received. Let us create a sacred time and space to be alone with Him. Let us open our hearts to receive His deep and lasting peace. Let us shine His light in the darkness. Let us radiate His love in all places and with all people. Then, let us ask: “WHO is my Christmas? HIS NAME IS JESUS.”
– Sandy Setterlund
These are important thoughts. I like to encourage people to celebrate the whole Christmas season. For myself that means continuing reflective reading for the season as well as playing Christmas music even beyond the Baptism of the Lord. And yes, we might encourage others to think more about the presence of Christ. Of course, that is always part of our lives. Thank you for the reflection. Continued Merry Christmas to all.
This reflection reminded me of a Christmas time staple for many people – A CHRISTMS CAROL by Charles Dickens. At the end of the story, Ebeneezer Scrooge is said to have kept the spirit of Christmas the whole year through. I take this to mean that he CONTINUED to care for Bob Cratchit’s family and Tiny Tim, help the poor, and interact with his nephew Fred and his family and friends. To keep the spirit of Christmas the whole year is to remember the Son of God is born into your own heart and life. It is to become an Emmanuel to everyone around us. God Bless Us Everyone!
OH – How wonderful.