There is something about Christmas that kids get, almost without explanation, and that we as adults can perhaps – overthink. As adults, we ask ourselves questions like … “why would God come to earth as a poor baby?” I mean, it makes for a cute story, but … really – Not with power? Not like a cosmic miracle? Just a baby born in a barn ? And from there, we adults then begin to reflect on the more subtle message that being born into human existence this way can tell us. That God reveals to us God’s very nature by becoming …. Human. That God not only understands what it is to be human, but has fully experienced life as a human. Birth. Childhood. Adolescence. Adulthood. And death.
That’s kind of an adult perspective.
But there is a certain freedom that comes from entering into Christmas with the eyes of a child.
Christmas Mornings for us began with a phone call from my mother, usually at about 4am. She wanted to be the first to wish us Merry Christmas. I miss those calls. The coffee would go on, and Helen and I would await the scampering of feet as the youngest of our five kids would invariably sneak downstairs and discover that Santa had made a visit ! And then scurry upstairs to wake up the rest of the kids. The sharing of gifts was done slowly with smiles and laughter, and stories told and hugs and kisses shared…
And then it was off to Mass, with a feeling that we were indeed blessed to be able to share the greatest gift of all …… love. For me, the greatest gift then, and now, is watching the children and seeing how Love is shared in those gatherings.
And so, at this family Christmas Mass, I want to say a special thank you to all of the children present, whether in person or on our livestream.
For you teach us so much about God by just being who you are. You love people and puppies and playing and pizza, and are never ashamed of letting Joy radiate from you. You remind us that Christmas memories are like snowflakes – they gather and dance – each beautiful, unique and gone too soon. You live in those moments with such joyful abandon that you teach us of our need to let go and enter the dance of life with you. And for that, I say Thank you.
You enter into the story of Christmas fully and passionately, seeing how fragile the baby Jesus was- seeing how poor the holy family was- and wondering what gift you could give them to make things better. And then you give God that gift – the gift of caring about others. And that gift grows within you as you grow, and it eventually shows in your care for widows and orphans. Your feeding of the poor, clothing of the naked. Your releasing the bonds of those who are oppressed. You remind us adults that we are at our best when we beat swords into plowshares. When we care for those who are in need. And for that, I say Thank you.
You remind us that the very essence of God is love, and where Love is, God is. You generously show your love, and when you do, you reveal God because it was in that image that you were created. And for that, I say Thank you.
For our family, and I suspect for yours as well, we celebrate this Christmas having gained a much deeper appreciation of how the image of a loving God is revealed … whether that is in reading a story to our kids or grandkids. Or watching our children as they interact with their children. Or looking at clouds and sky and stars and trees and standing in awe at the beauty of creation. Or trying to see in others what God sees in them. Whether if is in laughing so hard, it hurts. Or crying when our heart is moved.
All of these things we learned as children and learned again from our children. All of these things that make us human. All of these things that evidence our love. All of these things that reflect the essence of our God. All of these things that show us there exists something beyond, a spiritual realm that we catch glimpses of now and then, and which entered humanity at Christmas
So, to all of the children who have taught us this, I say thank you.
Merry Christmas.