Christmas take-a ways
Equipped with the best take-a ways from the Christmas season, we can have a happier January and a year filled with hope. If, in addition, love blossoms, the year might be spectacular.
“On those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen” (Matthew 4:16). Like the world before Jesus was born, our world has suffering, illness, loneliness, or the loss of a loved one. Our joys may often seem short-lived in the face of our sufferings.
In 2005, psychologist and travel agent Cliff Arnall coined the term “Blue Monday.” The third Monday in January was deemed the “bluest” day of the year. The cold, dark days are often marked by sadness, low energy and less social interaction.
In an apparition to Josefa (A Message of Mercy) Jesus tells her "I want the world to be saved, that peace and unity may reign in it. I want to reign and I will reign through the reparation of my chosen souls and through a new knowledge of my Goodness, my Mercy and my Love…
Fear nothing, trust in Me who am Love."
Love is a choice. God chose us first. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son” (John 3:16). God will be faithful – he may not always give us what we want, but he will give us what we need. “Do you think that I can leave you at the mercy of this cruel enemy?” Jesus tells Josefa.
Just as love can be a choice we make, so too faith and hope and the resulting joy are something we can aspire to. Faith is something we can accept when we see the events of the incarnation. The birth of Jesus was among the poor and disadvantaged. The angels revealed the good news to shepherds, the outcasts who had no social status.
Christ came to be among us, the humble and lowly. That makes faith a small leap. Our faith journey begins with Christmas. ”There never was a problem that could defeat sunrise or Christmas.” (from The Chinese Train 2017). God has given us many models of saints and fellow Christians to bolster our efforts in dispelling the darkness around us.
Hope follows. Picture the sun rise. The "dawn from on high" breaks upon us, its brightness covers the earth. The sun is born, and brilliant light covers the earth. The analogy grows to bring the light of joy, of peace, of tranquility. Hope is here for those lost in darkness.
Joy follows. As Jesus told Josefa, “I want the world to be saved.” Peace and unity will follow. Light and life will come to countless souls.
Joy is a sign of the life of God in us. All good things come from God. “Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me, all the days of my life” Psalm 23. If we choose to dwell with the Lord this year and every year,
joy, happiness and laughter will be near us.
“There is a deep sadness in not being a saint. Why? Because our distance from saintliness is also our distance from God, and our distance from God is also our distance from joy.” (Theologian Ron Rolheiser).
Christmas music is something I chose for my journey this year. Starting in November and through the Christmas season I was tuned in to a continuous stream of festive joy. I am still tuned in in the Ordinary Time that our liturgy has moved into.
“Life and love go on, let the music play.” —Johnny Cash
(589 words)
