If someone cannot see the wood for the trees, they are unable to understand what is important in a situation because they are giving too much attention to details. Is this reality happening to us these last few days of Advent?
As Christians we are called to watch and pray, in preparation and joyful expectation of the extraordinary event that changed the course of history: the birth of the Redeemer. Pope Francis has repeatedly called Christmas the “feast of poverty” and warned us not to let it become a celebration of consumerism, appearances and pointless gifts, or superfluous waste. Rather, in his own words: “Let it be the feast when one joyfully welcomes the Lord in the manger of the heart.”
Reflection requires silence, some time away from the hustle of the Christmas decor. In this silence, God speaks
It is a time of reckoning. It is a time of conscience awareness, coming to terms with our authentic self. Are we prepared to welcome the Lord in the manger of our heart? Has our faith become diluted by enticing dreams or distracted by misleading doctrines that suggest deceptive shortcuts to happiness? As Pope Benedict XVI put it: “Born in the poverty of the manger, Jesus comes to offer to all that joy and that peace which alone can fulfil the expectations of the human soul.”
The spiritual attitude of watchful and prayerful expectation remains the fundamental characteristic of the Christian. As a mother anxiously waits to hold the new-born infant in her arms, we too anxiously wait to welcome the Nativity of the Lord.
■ It was out of love that the Creator of the universe came to dwell among us. St Paul says that Christ, “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Letter to the Philippians). Christ appeared in human form, humbling himself, becoming like us in all except sin.
Christmas is a time “not only of rejoicing but of reflection” (Winston Churchill). Reflection requires silence and solicitude, some time away from the hustle of the Christmas decor. In this silence, God speaks. He speaks in nature, for as we read, “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1).
He also communicates with us through our conscience; for we read “their conscience also bears witness” (Romans 2:15). He communicates to us through His word: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
We are in a time of taking stock of our past year. How have we lived our Christian faith? Have we succumbed to the cravings of materialism and consumerist trappings? Have we compromised our faith convictions for our personal gain or comfort? Have we been inattentive, or even worse, accomplices to worldly schemes that far from reflect Christ’s teachings? Do we need to rediscover the warmth of simplicity, friendship and solidarity that are the typical values of Christmas?
Christmas calls us for a renewed personal calling. In the words of Pope Francis, “it gives us the privileged opportunity to contemplate the meaning and value of our existence.”
“Even non-believers,” said the Holy Father, “perceive something extraordinary and transcendental, something intimate that touches our hearts in this yearly Christian event. It is the festivity that sings the gift of life.”
■ Advent is a season for prayer and reformation of our hearts. In the words of Pope Francis: “Do not downplay your sins, name them honestly in the Sacrament of Confession, open your heart, and ask the Lord Jesus to heal you from within. “Doing this,” the Pope adds, “will give us the courage to go towards Christmas with ‘true faith’.”
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
gordon@atomserve.net
Gordon Vassallo is an accredited spiritual guide at the Centre for Ignatian Spirituality.