CHRISTMAS DAY 2018
HOLY INFANT SO TENDER
AND MILD
Some things seem to happen
automatically each Christmas. Smiles and laughter are easy to come by. We do
our best to give gifts to loved ones, while being open and grateful when
receiving one ourselves. Sharing with the poor and remembering the needy make
the spirit of the season alive. Prayers of
thanksgiving and adoration are offered to God as we go to our dawn Masses, our
Midnight Mass, or even just a quiet visit to the adoration chapel or an empty
church. And who does not sing, or at least listen to, one of the favorite carols of
the season, “Silent Night?”
This year, as we celebrate the
birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, we also celebrate the song that was composed
for him, and performed for the first time, by a priest and a school teacher 200
years ago in a simple village near Salzburg in Austria. The song dedicated to Jesus
and to the spirit of peace is sung today in almost every place where Christmas
is celebrated. Let us use the lyrics of this song to reflect on the meaning of
the Incarnation.
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and
Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
In a country like ours, Christmas
is rarely a silent event, what with all the parties and reunions, shows and
parades, carolers and greeters at the door, and the lights and fireworks. And yet,
the gospel of Luke reminds us of the night, both dark and chill, when people
close their doors and snug up on their beds, expecting nothing extraordinary
will happen. And yet, God chooses to work in the silence of the night, gently
and without fanfare. Do we not often meet God in the silence of prayer, the solitude
of walk home from work, or the calm in the house when everyone has gone to
sleep? It is then that we realize many things, when we discover what has to be
done, when we unravel God’s plan.
In the hustle and bustle of this
season of merriment, let us take sneak in some moments when we can be alone
with the Lord in prayer, Bible reading, Mass, or grateful visit to the Blessed
Sacrament. Let us spend more time with the family and less on social media and
gadgets, or outing with friends. The “Virgin Mother and Child” bond reminds us
that the most important thing in life is relationship with our loved ones.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born!
Not everybody is asleep and
resting on a cold winter night. The angels appear to shepherds, maybe because
the shepherds were the only ones awake at that time. This reminds us that in
this time of relaxing, rejoicing and recharging, there are people who cannot
afford to stop what they do because they need to survive. Be kind to the
waiters who serve you in the restaurant, to the attendant at the gas station,
the security guards you meet, the maids who need time for family and rest too,
and the sales clerks at the malls. Notice the modern “shepherds” because they
too are important in God’s eyes. In your kindness to them, you convey the message
that “Christ the Savior is born!”
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, oh, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Christmas is a time to look and
see; to behold and appreciate; to remain and marvel at the goodness of the
Lord. Burdened by the pressures of consumerism and materialism, let us break
free by remembering to encounter this Child for whom the whole world sings this
song – Jesus, Son of God, and Lord of history. Holy Mary, give us His love! St.
Joseph share with us your joy! Jesus, our Lord and God, fill our hearts, our
families, our country with your overflowing graces!
A Peaceful and Blessed Christmas
Season to all!
thanks, Sis Josie!
