It’s Christmas

Today’s Gospel Text: Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; 19 and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; 21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:  23 "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus. Matt 1:18-25

Reflection: Today the world celebrates Christmas, the birth of Jesus; Emmanuel, God with us.

One of the most appealing story is the story of Jesus. Which is now read now read though a prism of faith or positive attitude.We have it presented to us in a profound way in the gospels.

What if Christ were to be born in our age; would we have welcomed him in our midst, since, more so, we have a better knowledge of him and his face (not just in the physical sense but in the message and description of the character of Christ.

In fact this question should be a reflection for every Christmas

Our answer shouldn't surprise you; if Christ were born, he would definitely not have been welcome even in our age, in spite of all the knowledge that we have about him.  

One immediate way in which we can check ourselves is to find out how we have prepared ourselves this advent for the coming of Christ now.

Have we prepared only by way of the externals; the decorations, the fine clothing’s, delicate perfumes, the choicest purchases, the cakes and the sweets, the roast and the turkey or have we dwelt on restoring the internals?

If the preparation has been merely the externals then we need to be seriously thinking about life and the eternal fate which we are going to meet.

Some of us may have prepared ourselves by way of confessions and the Eucharistic attendance; is it as mere  fulfillment of an obligation or was it a sincere repentance to meet and encounter Christ in these sacraments?

Many of us may have a good reason and excuse; life has been busy with the demands of work, family and friends.

Could this be an excuse for rejecting the very source of our life, the reason for our existence, the source of our sustenance, the means of our living, the cause of our peace and joy?

We would not mind taking time off for a good vacation and preparing for a great celebration and may have all the time for entertainment, spirits and friends but would have no time for him.

How can our job or our business be an excuse when the reality of life teaches us that death is inevitable to each one of us and preparation for it cannot be ignored. Yet the truth remains; it may be ignored by the many.

Prayer:  Lord, it is never too late to come to you in repentance and faith, help me in this joyous season to make a joyful and willing surrender of my life to you.

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