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Here is a transcription of a conversation about Christmas (Don’t worry, I made it up).
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Why do you celebrate Christmas?
Because it is a good time for festivity, especially in the Northern half of the world, where winter and darkness are oppressing us. A bright holiday helps.
I agree. If I push back my chair about a foot and a half I can see the very cheerful Saint Louis University Christmas tree lights, outlining a tree and also a Crèche scene across from College Church. Very pleasant. Same for decorated houses.
But still, is festivity the whole reason you celebrate Christmas?
No, no, not at all. Christmas is the custom across our entire country. How would mom or the relatives or the children like to hear that I or we have decided to sit out this best of all holidays? It is family time.
Good for you. In fact, great. Holiday joy thrives in the family, especially when everyone does their best at politeness. Customs differ in different cities and homes, I guess. And also maybe a lot of folks don’t actually have a family that can come together. Do you ever think about that?
Of course I do. When there is time. And sometimes we take the leftovers to the parish to give to street people. They have to eat too, you know.
Yes indeed. Some people say they are just too crippled or lazy to go out and get their own food.
Could be. Maybe we will talk about that at Christmas dinner.
Is that what your family does at the big dinner, sit around and talk?
You’re hinting, aren’t you? You are asking whether we go to Mass,. The answer is that some of us do and some of us don’t. Not all of us like Masses anymore, especially the big long ones.
I see. But the ones that do go, and maybe that includes you, what is your reason for taking part?
Lots of reasons. It is such a beautiful ceremony. All that singing. And good will from people I have hardly met. I don’t know, my parents have always gone to it, and I don’t want to let our kids down, though it is a different world than my parents grew up in. I’m not sure. I do love it, though.
You know what you haven’t mentioned?
God?
That’s right. And God’s tiny child.
Yeah, though I don’t really understand how an infinite God could become a teeny, cute but stinky baby.
Who does? But would you be willing to read through the Gospel reading for Christmas day? Here are the first few lines.
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
I don’t understand it.
You already understand it inside you somewhere. Do you understand love?
Oh, I don’t think so. I wish I did.
This is the same thing. We wish we all understood “The Word.” All we “know” is that God and love go together. Just read the whole passage slowly and see if it doesn’t sink in. I recommend the shorter version.
I will. I love to be loved.
That is the whole point!
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The Word became flesh and dwelt among us …
From his fullness we have all received, grace after grace.
Fr. John Foley, S. J. |
