Merry Christmas! I would like to welcome you in particular if you are visitors to the church tonight. Maybe you have come from somewhere local, or you have travelled a bit to get here. One way or another, you have found your way to the local Catholic church. So you are most welcome to St. Margaret’s. You are part of the family!
The word “Catholic”, by which we describe our Christian family – the word Catholic means universal – all embracing – room for everyone, regardless of language, culture, whether you are young or old, married or single, whether you are working or not, at school or in the military – there is always room. It’s a big family.
That’s why, our experience here on Sundays is very much the messiness of family life! But as a pastor, it is a delight to stand back and watch what goes on in the piazza after Mass – Out in the piazza I see friendships being made, families connecting with other families, the children running in and out of the trees, swinging on the branches, the seniors sitting down and enjoying their coffee. Parents enjoying a bit of peace and quiet while the kids are at Sunday school. The church piazza is so important to our parish. It reflects the vitality and life of the community, our own little sacred biosphere. It’s wonderful.
What’s this got to do with Christmas? Well, strangely, Christmas is that rare time in the year when our church piazza after Mass is quiet. We don’t brew coffee or serve doughnuts at Christmas! And you know, I think, deep, deep down, you know the reason why.
Christmas, in a way stops the clock. It is sacred time, a reminder of the importance of our personal relationships with family, friends, those we work with, even neighbors. But then you might say, that’s what Thanksgiving is for. But Thanksgiving Day only touches the surface.
Christmas is a time when we are forced to acknowledge that we are born hungry, not simply for company and good food. Christmas unlocks a glimpse of our soul’s longing, to hold in our hands a gift that will never fade – a gift that is everlasting – that gives hope and purpose to our lives – that allows our relationships to be meaningful, not just in a way that makes sense – but in a way that is eternal.
This is God’s gift. He doesn’t send us a theory of life, or an ideal to live towards. Nor does God appear out of nowhere in a dazzling display of glory, power and triumph. Instead, God was quietly, even secretly, born into the helplessness, the vulnerability of a newborn baby, held within the protection of a human family. God allowed himself to be dependent on you and me.
As Christians, we do not take after the baby Jesus. Jesus is no longer a baby. Do not treat him as one. He is also not a figure from the past. Allow him instead to speak to you now, allow him to teach you now. Allow him, with all his strength and comfort, to hold you and save you. Allow him substance. How?
Sunday after Sunday we revisit the Christ-event – not only his birth, but also his life, his death and his resurrection. When we do so, it is a family event, as it is right now. So, let us keep these family ties strong, not just with our loved ones, but with each other and especially with the One who loved us first – so much, that he was born into the family of mankind, so that we might be one day be together with him in the family of heaven where he lives and reigns forever and ever!