It had been a rough year. Dad lost his job a year ago; finding a new one has been a full-time occupation. Mom has taken on a number of part-time jobs while being a full-time mother to their two daughters. The girls have been terrific, helping out in whatever ways they can. Dad was finally offered a position in another city several hundred miles away. They had no choice but to pull up stakes and start over: selling their old house and finding a new one, arranging for schools, packing up and saying goodbye. That first night together in their new house, surrounded by their life in packing boxes, they sat on the floor and ate Chinese takeout. And they realized not what they had lost but what they had in each other: a home.
It was a long night. Little Jack cried and cried with colic. In shifts, they cradled Jack as they walked up and down the hall, rubbing his little back, singing to him until they finally put Jack down in his crib. They were exhausted but happy and the most precious thing in their lives was peacefully asleep.
It is a difficult conversation. There is no easy way to begin that “talk” with your pre-teen child, that confrontation with a teenage son or daughter about their abuse of alcohol or some other substance, that decision regarding an elderly parent’s care. The exchange can quickly deteriorate into an angry exchange of recriminations and accusations, resulting in rejection and estrangement. Love often requires us to risk that love for the sake of the beloved.
In our lives as spouses and as sons and daughters, financial, physical and emotional circumstances force us to “flee” to our own Egypts. As is clear from Matthew’s Gospel, Mary, Joseph and the Child’s struggle as a family was filled with heartache, fear, misunderstanding and doubt—but together they created a family of love and compassion, of nurture and acceptance. Within our own families, as well, the love of God enables us to make our way through life in all its disappointments and complexities. As we gather as families this day after Christmas, may we take on again the hard work of being family to one another—of creating that safe place of unconditional love, welcome and forgiveness.
Archive for December, 2010
Fleeing To Egypt 12-26-2010
Sunday, December 26th, 2010Christmas 12-25-2010
Saturday, December 25th, 2010I. INTRO
A. I remember my first Christmas as a priest – 38 years ago – a small country chapel in the Santa Cruz Mountains (150 people). It was great.
B. I can still picture it – the church was dark – people walked in with candles in their hands. Everyone wanted to light their candles from a special Christmas candle near the altar.
C. As the people came forward they sang familiar carols.
I knew these people – Some had tears in their eyes –
Some of these people had a very hard year…..like some of you may have had this year.
1. a young family who lost a child at birth
2. several families who had gone through a painful divorce
3. a teenage boy who had been battling his drug addition
4. 3 or 4 people who had lost their job
5. a new widow after 50 years of marriage
6. 2 or 3 people diagnosed with cancer
7. on and on – they and many others came…singing, and seeking, the LIGHT of CHRIST.
II As I watched this Christmas procession – I experienced a very holy and powerful moment. These people – regular people like you and me – in that small remote chapel – some way connected with the ENDURING PROMISE OF GOD- THE PROMISE OF GOD……
A. Emmanuel – God with us – and the entire world – in the person and spirit of JESUS – especially where it is darkest in our lives – that amid the human condition – stresses – tragedies – problems – we all face at different times – there is HOPE – no matter how many September 11’s we experience – there is PEACE. There is a LIGHT to lead us to a new day. Our scripture says it best – “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”………THE ENDURING PROMISE OF GOD, EMMANUEL.
III. In this group of people was a wonderful teenager – Tom was a special kid.
Tom was fourteen years old and big for his age – physically. But mentally he was about four-educationally impaired. Nevertheless he had faithfully attended religious education classes for years and knew that Jesus was his Savior and friend.
In the Christmas pageant Tom had only one line. He was the innkeeper, and all he had to say was “There is no room” when Mary and Joseph came to the inn looking for a place to stay.
Tom practiced his line for weeks, until he could open the door, listen to Joseph’s request, and then in a strong voice proclaim “There is no room.”
The night of the pageant came. Everyone was dressed in their authentic costumes. One young girl played the pregnant Mary. Her face was glowing with joy. A lad dressed as Joseph tried to look mature and responsible.
The two came down the aisle of the church and knocked at the door of the “inn.” Tom swung the door open, and on cue responded, “There is no room.”
But at that point Tom didn’t understand that it was a play. As Mary and Joseph turned to walk away, tears ran down his face. Suddenly he called out to them – “Wait! Don’t go! You can have my room!”…….“Wait! Don’t go! You can have my room!”
THE ENDURING PROMISE OF GOD – EMMANUEL WITH US
-God with us in the person of JESUS ……
-God with us in the person of TOM the teenager’s welcoming……
-God with us in the person to your right and left on Christmas 2010….
-God with us in the people of your FAMILY- look at them often and appreciate them. Accept the JESUS in them…Embrace them with Love – Each in your own way – Don’t take them for granted.
IV. Let me close with a beautiful poem because to me it lays out the real challenge of Christmas.
“When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
“to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among brothers and sister and family,
to make music with the heart.”
I pray we take this challenge to heart. I pray we live it – each in our own way. Merry Christmas 2010!
My First Christmas In Heaven 12-19-2010
Sunday, December 19th, 2010I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars, reflecting in the snow
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not far away, we really aren’t apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear
And be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory of my undying love.
After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do.
For I can’t count the blessing or love he has for each of you.
So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear
Remember I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
