blog first published on December 23, 2015
We are open to decorating our homes with brightly colored lights; so much so that we might even grumble about those whose houses remain dark. We are open to family traditions; so much so that we might eat things that we don't really like. We are open to so much that Christmas has become in our popular culture; so much so that we uncritically accept the commercialization that is readily sold in the mall and online. We layer our holiday festivities with so many things and fill our schedules with so many commitments that we might secretly long for the calm after the storm. I wonder, are our lives really open to Christmas and its unique joy?
Since "JOY" is one of the tags that is associated with this time of year, it might seem a silly thing to ask, "are we open to Christmas joy?" What meaning is there to be found in the word paring "Christmas Joy" ?
It seems to me that the answers are not to be found in either our cultural formulations of Christmas or in overused pietist slogans such as "Jesus is the reason for the season". If we turn to the sacred sources for our holiday observance as Christians we find something altogether different. Nestled in the hills of Bethlehem (gospel of Luke) or in the metaphoric exchange of darkness and light (gospel of John) or in the magi's visit (gospel of Matthew) we find the entrance of God's kingdom into the struggled existence of humanity.
Christmas Joy is not a product of human emotion but is rather a Divine gift. It comes proclaimed in the midst of dark and broken relationships, systems, and communities. It comes as a counterpoint to Evil, despair, and forces beyond our control. It comes to free and break the chains of bondage, injustice, and oppression. It comes clothed with love and grace to open new possibilities for life. It comes in glimpses of restored existence from a God that dreams of banquets that bring all people together.
In anticipation of Christmas Joy, I look forward to the Eucharistic celebrations that I will have the privilege to take part in this week. We will come to the table from a variety of places along the journey. There will be familiar faces and names that I do not yet know. There will be those who are fully engaged in the worship and others that seem somewhat uneasy about it all. There will be those who are experiencing great loss - of loved ones, health, employment, and relationships- and others who are bombastic in happiness. No matter, it is my expectant hope that around the table, Christmas Joy will be made known and embraced.
What is more, it is my fervent prayer that Christmas Joy might spark a joyful response in the hearts of those who are fed with God's own presence. As in the story of the shepherds, Christmas Joy inspired them to go and tell what God has done. They were changed in the moment of encountering the Christ. So may it be with us.
Lives open to Christmas Joy are ultimately lives that respond beyond themselves. The response of the shepherds, disciples, magi - all indicate that Christmas Joy changes life itself. It shifts perspective, opens hearts, and makes possible life beyond fear, despair, and darkness. It creates community that is centered in love and finds itself compelled to share that love with those outside. This reality is one for which I pray and look forward to as we prepare for Eucharistic celebration. To find ourselves forever changed (or at least a shift in the right direction) would be a welcome blessing.