We may be wondering if the joy and true meaning of Christmas can be genuinely celebrated this year when there are restrictions on gathering, on worship, and perhaps even on our wallets. For some, Christmas might feel more like a reminder of what they don’t have: a loving family, money for nice gifts, health, etc. For some this may be the first Christmas after the loss of a loved one.
The truth is that the good news of the birth of our Saviour is not just for those who are doing well, have a loving family, are wealthy, and are healthy. It is good news for all of us, and in a special way for those who are poor, sick, burdened. It is good news for the sinners, for the weak, for the grieving, and for the dying.
Christmas is much more than a birthday or baby shower celebration. It is the birth of our Redeemer: the one who has come to save us from our sins and open to us the gates of eternal life. We are celebrating the all-powerful choosing to become small, weak, and helpless. We are commemorating God who is pure spirit coming down, taking on human form, taking on a body that is capable of the joys and pleasure of this life; but also of suffering, of being hurt, of feeling lonely, of experiencing hunger and thirst. He is truly Emmanuel: God with us.
What wondrous love is this! God is willing to leave the comfort and joys of heaven to become flesh for me. I don’t need gifts or even decorations for the essence of Christmas to take place in my heart. We are celebrating the fact that God is with us now and forever. God loves us so much that he came to earth to give his life for me. Most children are born to live. He was born to die for us. This is to be celebrated with awe, reverence, and bended knee.
This incredible act of love demands something of me. I can’t just gaze at the manger and sing some carols but at my core remain indifferent.
What am I willing to give to this Jesus who, moved by love, is willing to enter our darkness, become one with us, and offer his life to set us free? The only thing that can really satisfy the Christ Child is our hearts and our lives.
For me this year, giving my heart and life to Jesus means surrendering my plans and my need to control things. Surrendering my everyday life to God means inviting him into decision-making and into the joys and the difficulties of each day. When I encounter a challenge, I don’t want to wait until the weekend to let the Lord know about it. I want to surrender it right away with this prayer: “Lord, I surrender this totally to you. Take care of it. I trust in you.”
Pope Benedict the XVI, speaking to young people said, “Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundredfold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ – and you will find true life. Amen.”
This Christmas may look different for many of us. Regardless of the circumstances, the number of people or the types of gifts, Christ wants to be Emmanuel (God with us). He comes as a baby, offering his life and asking us for ours.
Anna Loch is a parishioner at St. Joseph’s in Vancouver and outreach manager at Gardens of Gethsemani. She holds a master’s in theology and counselling psychology.
