Christmas is in the air. Christmas ‘buzz’ is all around us.
On this 4th Sunday of Advent, we are reminded to keep
our focus more closely and more especially now to the
coming of Christ. Let us not just focus on how we
celebrate Christmas or who are we celebrating it with, but
more so on why do we celebrate Christmas. Christmas is
called so because of Christ- the child lying in the manger.
Yes there are people who would suggest (for the sake of
inclusiveness they’d argue) that this time is a special
holiday.
But there is no denying that when we take on this holiday,
it is because it is Christmas.
Let me share with you a definition of Christmas by an Irish
priest, Fr Flor McCarthy (SDB). I have shared this at the
Carols by Candlelight at the Park last Sunday.
The:
C for Christmas ‘stands for Christ. If we leave him out
of Christmas, it is like celebrating a wedding without the
groom.
H stands for the hope he gives us- the hope of a life
without end.
R stands for the revolution he began: turning hate to love,
war to peace, and everyone into everyone’s neighbour.
I stands for Israel, the land where he was born. But it also
stands for me. For Christ could be born a thousand times
in Bethlehem, but it would all be in vain unless he is born
in me.
S stands for the salvation he brought: those who lived in
darkness saw a great light.
T stands for thanks- [giving] thanks to God the Father for
the gift of his Son. The best way to say thanks is to make
room for him in our hearts.
M stands for Mary who (through her amazing Yes and
trust in God’s will) brought Jesus to birth.
A stands for the angels who at his birth sang: ‘Glory to
God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.’ It
was the sweetest music ever heard on earth.
S stands for the star that led the wise men to Bethlehem.
Now Christ is the star we follow. His light will guide us
through the night until the sun of eternal day dawns upon
us.
Hope you all have a week of joy and blessings.
Advertisements
