Wouldn't it be grand if we could have Christmas every day? For kids from one to ninety four? Let's!
If the world of commerce can bombard us from Thanksgiving to the non-ending Boxing Day sales, why can't we hold the baby Jesus a little longer in our hearts this year?
In a Christmas article last December I said that I would try to make the baby Jesus laugh. That was my Christmas goal. I watched carefully for how this was going to unfold. It was a big surprise!
Christmas Eve Midnight Mass came, and I was asked to be a Eucharistic minister. As worshippers approached me, I recognized the fact that I hadn't seen some of them in a long time. Some were visitors. I started smiling. I couldn't stop the biggest smiles I've had in a long time.
Yes. We can make Jesus smile or laugh when we share joy with others. We are the only Christ some people will see in this world. It is a humbling experience, but wonderful nevertheless.
Now how do we hold the baby Jesus the whole year through? We have just celebrated the Holy Season of Christmas, a time when we are invited to hold Jesus in our hands and in our hearts; a time when we love each other as family and as children of God.
One of the greatest experiences I have as a grandfather is to sit and hold a new baby for an hour or two. There is nothing more innocent, vulnerable, sweet or beautiful than a new born baby.
Jesus came to us at Christmas as a newborn baby, so that we could hold him and share love. Mary pondered deep mysteries as she held her baby, the Son of God.
God invites us to hold him in our hearts, in the Eucharist, and even in the person of others that we love. If you haven't held the baby Jesus yet this Christmas season, it is not too late!
In Father Brendan McGuire's Christmas Homily "Make Room for Jesus" he says that God became one of us out of love for us. If we can focus on that single message today, then it will transform our lives.
Just for one day, he suggests, stop before you eat, and pray. Stop and say, "thank you, Lord, for Jesus in our lives". Ask God to help you make room for Jesus in your heart. Have a quiet time with the Lord and make room for Jesus every day.
If we can do that then we will transform the world. We will see Jesus in every single one of us. We will be kinder, gentler and more forgiving.
In "Today I'm Gonna Try To Change the World" Johnny Reid says, I'M GONNA TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME I'VE MADE MY RESOLUTION I'M GONNA SAY HELLO TO MY NEIGHBORGREET HIM WITH A SMILE SHAKE THE HAND OF A STRANGER SIT AND TALK FOR A WHILE TELL SOMEONE I LOVE THEM FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
TODAY I'M GONNA TRY AND CHANGE THE WORLD
