The secret to the success of the
party is the prior preparation; the better the preparation, normally, the
better the celebration. This we should apply to preparing for the coming of
Jesus. Many go over-board in the details done to prepare for Birthdays. Should
not our preparation for the most important Birthday be enthusiastic and
extensive?
Therefore, we will offer clear,
concrete and practical ways that we can prepare for Christmas- the Birthday of
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Indeed, His birth into time changed radically
the face of the earth and the history of the world!
1.
GRACES AND INSPIRATIONS. “If today you hear his voice harden not your
hearts as they did in Meriba and Massah.”(Psalm 95) As we draw closer to God,
the Holy Spirit sends His heavenly inspirations to our minds—these we call
actual graces. Our freedom must choose to follow these inspirations. As a
result, God will fill us with peace in His presence. “Speak, O Lord for your servant is
listening.”
2.
SILENCE. Step aside from the boisterous and clamorous
noise that bombards your mind and soul and relish SILENCE. Indeed God speaks to the contemplative and
silent heart as he did to the Prophet Elijah on the mountain(I Kings 19) as
well as to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Annunciation.(Lk.1:26-38)
3.
LIGHT TO THE WORLD. In our homes and the Parish we light the
Advent candles as we start a new week. Jesus is the Light of the world, but you
are called to be a light in the world. Jesus tells us: “Let your light shine
forth to the world so that by seeing your light others might give glory to your
Father who is in heaven.” As we draw
close to Jesus the LIGHT, who will be born for us why not cast from your life
anything that still radiates as darkness. Sin is darkness. Judas left Jesus and
entered into the darkness of the night.
4.
FRUGALITY AND SIMPLCITY. One of the hallmarks of the personality of
Pope Francis is that of frugality and simplicity. For that reason, the present
Pope chose as his papal name FRANCIS.
Saint Francis of Assisi lived a life of great simplicity, detachment and
evangelical poverty. May our celebration of Jesus’ birthday not be suffocated
by excessive buying, possessing and materialism. Jesus warns us that we cannot
serve God and money at the same time.
5.
JESUS IN THE POOR. Saint Martin of Tours saw a poor, half-naked
man, shivering in the cold. Moved to compassion, Martin, the soldier and future
saint, took his cloak and with his sword cut it in half giving half of his
cloak to the poor man. In his dream that
night, Martin saw that it was Jesus who was wearing the cloak that Martin had
given away. Jesus was born in poverty, but also Jesus can be discovered in our
brothers and sisters but especially the poor, abandoned, marginalized and
forgotten members of society. Let us pray for eyes of faith and charity to see
these special ones of the Lord!
6.
MERCY AND FORGIVENESS. If it is such that you are harboring some
form of resentment towards some person, holding back forgiveness, and allowing
the bitter herb of vindictiveness dominate your soul, now is the time to
practice mercy and to forgive. By doing so you will set the captives free; that
captive is your very self! How many
people in the world are slaves to their own lack of forgiveness? Remember the words of Jesus: “Be merciful as
your heavenly Father is merciful.” As well as these words from the most
well-known prayer in the world (The Our Father): “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.” Mercy is a two-way street! If we desire God’s forgiveness, then we must
forgive those who have offended us.
7.
PRAYER. Jesus challenges us with these words: “Pray always without giving up hope.” (Lk.
18:1) The Holy Seasons of Advent and Lent should be times in which we pray more
and intensify our prayer life. Find time, place and good will to enter into
dialogue and communication with God. We should long for a deeper prayer
life. As air is to the lungs so should
prayer be to our souls. The Psalmist
expresses it this way: “As the deer
yearns for the running waters, so my soul longs for you O Lord my God.” Prayer
attains for us the greatest of all gifts—the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is
“The Gift of Gifts.”
8.
MASS AND HOLY COMMUNION. The Liturgy teaches us that there are three
comings of Jesus Christ: 1) Historically, when He was born in Bethlehem; 2) At
the end of time when He will judge the living and the dead; 3) Now through
grace. Every time that Holy Mass is
celebrated then Jesus is born in the hands of the priest and in the hearts of
the faithful who receive Him in Holy Communion. Why not make a concerted effort
as we prepare for Christmas to go to Mass and receive Jesus in the Bethlehem of
your heart?
9.
CLEAN THE CAVE. Your heart can be compared to a house or even
to a cave. If you were to invite guests to your home you would most likely
clean your house so as to give a good reception to your guests. Now is the time
to make a good Sacramental Confession. By doing so you will be cleaning out the
dirt, cobwebs, dust, debris, and trash in your heart. Then Jesus who is to be born will come with
greater joy and fill you with joy. “Lord create in me a new heart… A humble and
broken heart O lord you will not spurn…” (Psalm 51—Act of Contrition of King
David.)
10. MARIAN
BUMBER-STICKER. I was once captivated by
a short Marian one-liner; then I made this into a bumper-sticker for my car. It
reads as such: “Wise men still find Jesus
in the arms of Mary.”(Mt. 2:1-12—the Magi) As the day of Christmas quickly
approaches, let us anxiously await the birth of Jesus with Mary. She carried
Jesus in her womb for nine months. Why not beg through the most powerful
intercession of Mary for the grace to truly dispose your heart so that Jesus
will truly be born anew in the depths of your soul. “Come Lord Jesus, come,
through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”
