Greetings!

Time is certainly marching on; we are as it were, in the home stretch, making our way towards Christmas, when we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord! Only days ago, I learned that before the word Christmas (from the phrase Christ Mass, the liturgical rite that celebrates the Incarnation), was adopted and popularized, the earlier designation was In Natali Domini – On the birth of the Lord…a celebration of the One who, beyond being a merely historical figure, is Lord of the universe. Commercial enterprise though, has over time, shifted the focus, highlighting instead the near idolatrous activities associated with buying and selling, to which we have all fallen prey.

The untimely (is it really?) incursion into our world of the Covid-19 virus has somehow given us pause for serious thought about many things, not least among which is the why and how of our Christmas celebrations. Are we simply recalling an historical event and placing our own cultural spin on it, or are we making real and present, that event’s ongoing significance to us and our world, embodying and being all God intends? Scarce (and in some instances non-existent) financial resources has brought sadness to many a heart and home. Within that reality however, come gentle nudges…the need and desire to draw close, not so much to baby Jesus but the Christ of faith who is Lord of the Universe. This is the One who sees the stark realities of our unadorned lives and still chooses to love us. I firmly believe that acting upon that desire, will guarantee a joy-filled Christmastide.

Last Monday, I began my two week vacation and had the blessing of joining friends for a few days of relaxation on the North Coast (of Jamaica). While there, I had time, not only to catch up on some reading, but also to reflect. These days I find that I am prone to much aimless consideration…a sign of aging I suppose. That in which I was engaged however, was not aimless consideration but meditative reflection. I retrieved from the attic of memory, scenes from my childhood at Christmastime and with them, thoughts of my parents, family members and…the way we were. I enjoyed the euphoric feeling they evoked, giving thanks in the process, for time past and a good heritage. I rummaged through all that was pleasantly strewn there, returning eventually to scenes of now. Upon returning though, it seemed as if nothing could tame the riot of emotions that emerged, with the not too pleasant images. There was a real and present danger of being sucked into a vortex of sadness…until (remember this is reflective meditation and not aimless consideration) the still small voice of calm intervened, speaking the one word…blessed!

In that moment, I was reminded of the blessing of being alive, of being able to take a vacation and the generosity of my friends who made those few days possible; I was reminded also of the fact that a lack of spending/purchasing power is not synonymous with poverty…that I am a rich recipient, via the gift of friendship, of that upon which no price tag can be placed! I began to experience an indescribable fullness, settling around my heart and in that moment, shalom became real.

Yesterday morning, on her way to Church, a dear lady stopped by to drop off two flowering plants…Christmas gifts of love, that now adorn my home. By early afternoon, my bestie from high school came for a visit. Her talent for growing and grooming orchids is phenomenal! Once, after enjoying weeks of its flowering beauty, I returned one that she had given me (reduced to the stem and one leaf), suggesting that she revives it; upon seeing the mortal damage I had inflicted upon the poor plant, she glared at me and said in a quietly, chilling tone… “I have a plant nursery, not a hospice!” Four beautiful orchid plants are now gracefully complimenting the poinsettia and petunia I received in the morning; my home looks and feels beautiful!

What am I sharing with you today? I am sharing the fact that you and I are blessed…with life, love, family friends…and Emmanuel…precious and priceless gifts!  So, as Christmas draws near and with it, anxious thoughts about the much we think we are lacking, let us pause to reflect on the many that we do have and would perhaps take for granted. This pandemic continues to teach us that nothing, save God’s love, is guaranteed. If therefore, we embrace the fact that In Natali Domini we have a Savior of the universe in Jesus Christ and open our hearts to prepare Him room, then surely, our celebrations will be a joy-filled Mass to Christ.

Grace+