The Promise of Christmas
During World War II (1945), a Japanese boy stood in front of a funeral pyre and waited his turn to cremate his little dead brother. He held the infant’s body across his shoulders. A photographer gave witness.
He saw that the boy was biting his lips so hard to keep from crying that blood was dripping from the corner of his mouth. When the guard offered to free him from his heavy burden, the boy said, “He ain’t heavy; he is my brother.”
The Lord gives us heroic models to inspire us, but God also gives us the daily grace to better our lives. It is never too late to become what we might have been. You and I are invited to live lives that are dedicated to serving our brothers and sisters.
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.
The life of evangelist Reinhard Bonnke has left a mark. In his ministry Bonnke converted 89,025,314 people to follow Christ. Decision cards filled in by converts support these numbers. Startling stories of deaf people regaining their hearing, blind people regaining their sight and paralyzed people suddenly walking again accompanied his ministry.
Often his ministry took place in open air with millions attending. Much of Bonnke’s mission work took place in Africa. Even after his death his international ministry Christ For All Nations continues.
Another heroic model for Christ is a priest Cajetan of Thiene (1516). Just before midnight on Christmas Eve, he entered the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to adore the "newborn Savior" as he called him. Cajetan experienced an indescribable joy.
A few moments later, the altar and the entire creche were bathed in a magnificent and dazzling light that did not blind him. In the centre of the light, he saw the perfect vision of Mary holding Jesus. Mary stretched out her arms towards him, giving him the chance to touch the body of God. Then the scene disappeared in a flash.
Though you and I are not likely to experience miraculous encounters with God we are called to play a simple, and dare I say, easier role in salvation history. Father Ken Koep, a priest in the Regina Archdiocese, explains about his calling to ministry. His simple realization at the time: “Where can you get a job where you go around giving people good news all of the time? It’s a gift!”
Another example struck me recently in an episode of The Good Witch. A character asks a minister why he chose to become a chaplain. He relates his story. When he was a child, his mother took him to church every Sunday. He did not often want to go, but his mother took him.
Later his mother became ill. A minister came to visit her and brought her much joy and comfort. The realization that our burdens are temporary and fleeting compared to the eternal joy that awaits us cemented his vocation.
So this is Christmas! Spreading the light that will help us avoid the shadows of darkness. In the children’s song “This little light of mine” we see the innocent spirit of children promising to let their light shine. Everywhere they go, they will let it shine. We will live in peace and sing in harmony. So let it shine!
(586 words)
