“And in the end, everything else will turn out to be unimportant and inessential, except for this: Father, Child, and Love.” – St. (Pope) John Paul II
No one can celebrate
A genuine Christmas
Without being truly poor.
The self-sufficient, the proud,
Those who, because they have
Everything, look down on others,
Those who have no need
Even of God – for them there
Will be no Christmas.
Only the poor, the hungry,
Those who need someone
To come on their behalf,
Will have that someone.
That someone is God.
Emmanuel. God-with-us.
Without poverty of spirit
There can be no abundance of God.
Oscar Romero
“Everything else will turn out to be unimportant and inessential.” We who pour a lot into “everything else” like gifts and careers and retirement plans don’t want to hear that those will be unimportant and inessential. We’re strivers, some of us. Even if we’re not, we’re not keen to lean into the category of being truly poor. We may even be described as Oscar Romero does: self-sufficient and proud. He makes a point. When we have all we need, we’re more inclined to not need God. Though no one wants to be poor or hungry, those are the people who are most aware that they need a Savior.
These two writers suggest that having much may impede us from what is most true about this season – that too much gets in the way of creating a space for Christ. They suggest that when we consider our Christmas clothes, think of putting on the love of Christ. When we ponder our next acquisition, think of the love of Christ being our sole master. For “the human heart is made for Jesus Christ and cannot really be content with less.” (Brennan Manning)
A beautiful story is recounted each Christmas in the forest of Provence in southern France. It’s about four shepherds who came to Bethlehem to see the child. One brought eggs, another bread and cheese, the third brought wine and the fourth brought nothing at all. People called him L’Enchante. The first three shepherds chatted with Mary and Joseph, how cozy was the cave and how handsomely Joseph had appointed it, what a beautiful starlit night it was. They congratulated the proud parents, presented their gifts and assured them that if they needed anything else, they had only to ask. Someone asked, “Where is L’Enchante?” They searched high and low. Finally, someone peeked through the blanket hung against the draft, into the creche. There, kneeling at the crib, was L’Enchante – the Enchanted One. Like a flame taking the direction of the wind, he had taken the direction of love. Throughout the entire night, he stayed in adoration, whispering, “Jesu, Jesu, Jesu – Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”
At Christmas, like L’Enchante, we should have one pure passion: to love the Christ child. Even when surrounded by the trappings of Christmas, those of us who would be the first three shepherds, we are to give our best to Jesus. If we are more like L’Enchante – in circumstances or in spirit – we still can give Him our best. All are asked to be content with nothing less. It begins with taking our eyes off ourselves and focusing them on the child in the manger. For holiness is less about our right behaviors and more about an emptying of ourselves to make room for Christ. May He crowd our hearts with his love! May his mercy, kindness and compassion fill us. And may we find ourselves kneeling at the manger, whispering ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus’ to our King.
How do we keep our focus on Jesus this season? What would the Most Holy One want with a heart like mine? He wants to inhabit it. This season, pay attention to how you make room for him within your heart. It may be in the evening while you listen to Christmas music and gaze upon the lighted tree. It may be in your elevated heartbeat after exercise. Or, it could be in expanded compassion for someone who possesses little. Be aware of his knock on the door, his entering in to fill you. Repeat this breath prayer from Colossians 3:11, “There is only Christ: he is everything.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to earth as a child. We are made for you and nothing else will satisfy us. You knew we needed you to come on our behalf. Forgive us when we’re content with a teacup when you give us the ocean. Flood our hearts with your love. May you be pre-eminent in our thoughts and hearts this season and always. Supreme lover of our souls, take up residence in our hearts and may we be quick to share the love you’ve given us. Amen
Merry Christmas to my readers. You are all dear to me. -Sue
Thank you for the beautiful prayer.
Great thoughts!. so true. Merry Christmas, friend.