December 25, 2010
Christmas
Once upon a time...actually it was 2,000 years ago and only yesterday on the heavenly calendar, there was a very small angel -- "the littlest angel." Her halo tilted and was tarnished. Her voice was soft. She sang off key. She had spots on her cherub robe -- evidence of her adventures on earth. She was just beginning to get the knack of flying down or up. She kept a cardboard box with her precious possessions: a butterfly, a blue egg left in a nest, 2 white stones and a leather collar for a pet dog. Articles that she had discovered rummaging on earth. One night there was an angelic assembly before the throne of God. God's son was to be born! She wanted to bring a gift but her only possession was the box. She made her way around and through the choirs passing Michael, Raphael and Gabriel to the throne of God. Unembarrassed, she placed her gift before God. In the heavenly hush, she wondered if she had made a mistake. Her gift was not worthy of God's son. She stepped back, tears came down her cheek and she huddled on the steps. But God spoke: "Of all the gifts presented on this occasion, your gift is most fitting because the box contains things of the earth where my son will become king. He will grow to cherish the things in your box. Then at a silent divine command, the box began to glow, the light became fire. Angels looked away because of the brightness. The littlest angel could see it rise into the arch of the firmament becoming a star in the night sky over Bethlehem. A star still giving light and guiding those who have come to believe in Jesus Christ. This story of "The Littlest Angel" was composed by Charles Tazewell during World War II! During a time of horrible slaughter, hunger, poverty and displaced humanity, he wrote a short story about an angel and a star. The "greatest generation" was being reminded of the Christmas story. We find the story of the birth of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. In Matthew, a star leads the magi to Bethlehem. In Luke, angels announce the birth of Jesus and shepherds hasten to the stable to find Mary, Joseph and the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. The angel and the star serve the same purpose: they guide us to Bethlehem to discover the deeper meaning of Christ's coming. As the angel announces (so does Linus in Charlie Brown's Christmas): "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy. In the City of David, a Savior is born for you. He is Christ the Lord." Whatever we are facing: loneliness, sickness, addiction, debt, discord, we are not alone -- God is with us. We are being transformed by God's grace and the love of Christ. The meaning/mystery of Christmas dispels the lie and the illusion. We are led to believe and we deceive ourselves that buying things will make us happy. We shop and buy. We keep and exchange. We return the gifts soon after Christmas to obtain more. In the end, in the New Year we are still empty. Addition/acquisition will not bring happiness. Like the littlest angel we slowly learn to share what is most precious. Living with simplicity and generosity will instill a joy that cannot be purchased. And like the angels we must leave here tonight after Eucharist or in the morning after Mass and announce to the world that we have found life in Christ.
Previous:
Fourth Sunday of Advent
