A woman was Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of walking down row after row of toys and after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the store elevator with her two children in hand. She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, making sure we don’t forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened revealing a crowd in the elevator car.

She pushed her way in and dragged her two kids and all her bags of stuff in with her. As the doors closed she couldn’t take it anymore and blurted out, “Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up, and shot.” From the back of the car, a quiet calm voice responded, “Don’t worry, we’ve already crucified Him.” The rest of the trip down was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. Don’t forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all would, just think how much better this world would be.

I love visiting the cribs in various churches this time of year. Many of you, have by now placed your crib, in a sacred place at home. Saint Francis of Assisi, was the first to introduce visually displaying the crib. He did so in a deliberate portrayal of the deep poverty and yet great love, the Christ child, was born into. A young mother and father, placing a tiny little baby in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. There was no room for this baby in the inn, his birth was extra dramatic where eventually Mary and Joseph, found shelter in a lowly stable.

The first to be made aware of this tremendous new life were the outsiders. Shepherds, by their very nature lived on the outside. Their lives were nomadic and hardship was the norm. I have no doubt, that when the angels appeared, with the melody of hope, their hearts were instantly lifted. When they went to examine and validate what they had been told, their immediate response was one of wonder and awe, in the presence of Emmanuel “God among us”. Their silence, was a prayer filled by God’s grace. The birth of Jesus Christ surrounded by cattle and sheep, was and continues to be such a powerful encounter, God became one of us. “The word became flesh and dwelt amongst us”.

The birth of Jesus Christ continues to be a great gift for all humanity. His birth isn’t something that just happened, but because of his amazing grace, continues to pour hope and new life to us all. Deep in the depth of winter darkness, soon we will be reminded that the light once again conquers the darkest hours of the year. Green shoots erupting from the winter soil reminds us, that soon we will celebrate a new season. A new time, when God’s grace can indeed rejuvenate all our stories . God’s love is a tremendous gift, it’s a gratuitous one, not seeking any repayment, but abundantly and generously bestowed upon each one of us, because God loves us first. We can only be a respond with a sense of gratitude and confidence that we belong to a very good news story. This Christmas I pray that indeed our pathways will be level and smooth , for all who are challenged may burdens be lessened by the grace of God’s presence. May all our families be blessed with health of body and Peace of Mind.  Finally, A charming story is told of Poinsettia, a poor Mexican girl, who had no gift to present to the baby Jesus in his crib, as was customary on Christmas Eve. As Poinsettia walked slowly to the chapel with her friends and family her heart was full of sadness rather than joy. An angel appeared to the little girl and spoke to her

“I am sure that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in his eyes”.

Not knowing what to do, the little girl knelt at the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet.

Looking at these insignificant weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. Poinsettia fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel. As she approached the crib she remembered the angel’s words. She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the feet of the nativity scene. Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant crimson red, all who saw them were certain that they had seen a miracle right before their eyes. From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Buena, Flower of the Holy Night. Known by all of us for its Christmas colour, called the Poinsettia.

This is a powerful story of Christian hope in a time of darkness and uncertainty. The good news story that we are about to celebrate is that we are not alone. Each one of us are willed into life so that we can celebrate the powerful gift of every moment. Christmas is a time to ponder and give thanks for the gifts that we all have been blessed with. The bright promise of Christ’s presence assures us to be confident that we are not alone, God is very near. May Christmas 2024 be a time of great blessing..

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