December 24, 2006
Like many of you, I don’t like things that are phony. I like things that are real. Sometimes, I get a little uncomfortable when I hear people say we have to get ready for Jesus’ birth. Jesus has already been born—two thousand years ago. I don’t want to suspend reality and pretend that He has not already been born. It is the wonder of wonders that the Almighty God chose to become a tender, vulnerable little baby in a poor stable surrounded by animals (and all that goes with that). It is truly an exciting grace to recall the profound realities of that moment.
It is also a powerful grace to recognize the ways that Jesus has not yet come. There are countless ways that I have not allowed the love and mercy of Jesus to enter into my heart. There are countless little distractions and selfish desires that I choose over the peace and goodness of the Baby Jesus. I hold on to hurts and angers, foolish ambition and pride rather than surrender to what the Tender Baby has for me. Each moment, the sweetness of Jesus wants to give me everything that I need to be happy and live in joy. I need to prepare my heart to receive the blessings He so eagerly wants to give me.
The Prophet Malachi says, “Behold, I send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly some to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming…” (Mal 3:1) Jesus is not only coming, He is already here. He is everywhere, in everything and in every situation. I only need the eyes to see and the ears to hear. I need to recognize Him more, prepare for Him more, and accept Him more, so that I can enjoy Him more. It is exciting to consider the wonderful things that Jesus wants to do for me (and for you). Truly, the sky is the limit. God cannot be outdone.
The joy that Jesus offers us is for the here and now as well as for eternal life in heaven. The Prophet Malachi continues, “But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, till they present right offerings to the Lord. Then the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord…” (Mal 3:2-4) No matter who you are or how holy you may be, the Lord wants to give you more. More grace, more peace, more love, more joy. The tiny Baby Jesus wants to purify you of those things that hurt you, those things that hold you back, those things that burden you. He wants you to shine with the glory of God.
I pray that this Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of God as man, you will take the time to wonder at Jesus’ coming, the fact that God really became a little, hungry baby. I pray also that you will respond to God’s grace to prepare your hearts to experience Jesus in a new and richer way. I pray that you will allow the Lord Jesus to purify you of those things which aren’t the best and replace them with the beautiful and unexpected things He wants to give you.
May the Baby Jesus, tenderly sleeping in the arms of the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the watchful eye of Saint Joseph, fill your hearts and your homes with an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder. Merry Christmas.
Pace e Bene,
Br. Giuseppe Maria Siniscalchi, CFR
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