Best wishes for this Christmas season and New Year 2015. As we advance towards Christmas, it is important to make Jesus a focal point of the season. It becomes unfortunate for the nativity scene to be replaced with Santa and snowmen and Christmas tree as just a mere holiday tree. Whenever we lose the deep symbolisms surrounding Christmas, we lose the real celebration. If only we could be taken up by the true sentiment of the season, we could easily render Christ alive at Christmas; in our care of the less privileged and all those in need of our love. It may not necessarily be limited to the material support much as material gifts are good; but better still, creating and spending quality time with them to renew their essence of Christmas. Or trying to do something extra ordinary but within your reach like forgiving someone who hurt your feelings or participating either directly or indirectly in missionary work. This could be by praying for missionaries and all those engaged in perpetuating God’s incarnate word in the world, financially supporting missionary work or making an effort to create time and engage in some sort of apostolate as a participation in the mission of Christ, the great missionary born into the world. The true joy of Christmas lies in the fact that the good times and treasures of the present are the golden memories of tomorrow in the glory of heaven. As believers we rejoice in the presence of God in the world, while preparing ourselves for Christ’s return in glory and at the same time, commemorate His birth. This is the fact behind the fundamental truth that Christmas without Christ is empty. This explains why no other season engages the whole world is in a conspiracy of love, like the birth of God’s son. It is more than a mere season; it is a celebration of God’s gift hence the joy of it goes with a state of an appreciative mind, there lays the spirit of real Christmas. As we appreciate God’s gift to us in the incarnation of His son, it is worth noting that appreciation is not a fruit of rationalization; the head keeps an account of all the benefits you received and gave; but it is the heart that records the feelings of gratitude, humility and generosity when someone showers you with kindness and love. Sincere appreciation therefore, comes when you feel grateful from the depth of your heart and not your mind. May spirit of Christ’s love gently fill your hearts and homes in this loveliest of season and May you find it as a reason for your happiness. With most grateful heart i wish you God’s graces symbolized in this special season of Christmas and a blessed new year to you and your dear ones. From Fr. Steven Masinde, Sts Philip and James Church, NYC
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 11:22:43 +0000
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