It’s Advent: don’t just do something; stand there!

4th Sunday of Advent, Year C
First Reading: Mi 5:2-5a
Second Reading: Heb 10:5-10
Gospel Reading: Lk 1:39-45 

This year we have five days after the last Sunday of Advent in which to recall and meditate on what Christmas is all about.

The Mass Readings this Sunday outline what is happening. From Bethlehem shall come forth “one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from old, from ancient days.” He is coming not only for Israel, but also for “the rest of his kindred.”

He is God the Son, coming among us as a man not to exact the sacrifices and offerings that are God’s due, but to do God the Father’s will: to sacrifice himself so that we can be made holy.

His mother is the most blessed of all women. Even an unborn child leaps for joy at the sound of her voice.

Let us stop our busy preparations and meditate on Christmas. We have all heard, “Don’t just stand there; do something!” This week, “don’t just do something; stand there!”

Christmas is widely perceived as a time for children and traditions. Make sure that the traditions you start for your children include the true story of Christmas.

I know a lady, now in her 60s, who says that for her, Christmas traditions included hearing St. Luke’s Gospel at Mass.

There were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

“Do not be afraid,” the angel told them; “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Christ, the Lord. This will be a sign for you; you will find a Child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours.”

You can also tell children the true story of Santa Claus instead of Hollywood’s silly tales of a “jolly old elf,” about whom they soon become skeptical.

Nicholas was born during the third century A.D. in a village on what is now the southern coast of Turkey. His parents, who were wealthy, died in an epidemic while he was still young. When he grew up, he used his whole inheritance to help the needy. While still a young man, he was made Bishop of Myra, becoming widely known for his generosity, love for children, and concern for sailors.

You can also teach children to include a present for Jesus among their gifts. After all, it is his birthday. What can we give him?

The best gift, of course, is the one we offer at Mass. We pray that the power of the Holy Spirit, which sanctified Mary, the mother of God’s son, will make the bread and wine we place on the altar holy, and give to us, in exchange, Jesus’ body and blood.

However, we should remember Jesus throughout the day. My friend treasures her family’s tradition of saying the evening Rosary around the nativity scene with all the lights out except one in the stable.

“Our God, Heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain,” Christina Rossetti said in her poem. “Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.” But “in the bleak mid-winter, a stable-place sufficed: the Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ.”

“What can I give him, poor as I am?” she asked. “If I were a shepherd, I could bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I could do my part; yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.”

That is what Jesus longs for. That is what he wants most. That is the gift only we can give him.

Happy birthday, Jesus!

Father Hawkswell is again teaching The Catholic Faith in Plain English. The whole course is available in written form and Sessions 1-13 in YouTube form at beholdvancouver.org/catholic-faith-course. Session 14, “Supernatural Life,” will be available in YouTube form starting Jan. 2.