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December 18, 2005
For the Last Week of Advent
Here's a post from Brian:
A Christmas Stocking for Jesus
The Advent season invites us to prepare our hearts and souls for Christ's humble, yet glorious birth. It is a season of preparation and anticipation that helps us meet the Christ child and reminds us of what were called to be - people of peace, joy and love.
Unfortunately, Advent is far too often overshadowed by the holiday frenzy of buying gifts, baking cookies, attending parties and mailing cards. The season can go by so quickly that before you know it Christmas has come and gone.
In order to truly celebrate Christmas day we must strive to make the most of the final week of Advent. Of course, our society is no help in this endeavor. It seems like every other day I hear or read about people trying to drive the real meaning of Christmas out of our schools, marketplaces, industry and communities.
With the secularization of Christmas, it is easy to see why many Catholics have forgotten "whose" birthday we celebrate on Christmas day. I liken this to having a celebration, but forgetting to invite the guest of honor. It's as if Jesus has been buried under all the wrapping paper, ribbons and holiday decorations.
One of my favorite Christmas movies is the Bishop's Wife. In the last scene of the movie Bishop Grougham, played by David Niven, gives his Christmas sermon to the congregation of St. Timothy's Church. The sermon is short, but contains a powerful reminder that Christmas is more than just exchanging gifts. Instead, it is about "The Word - Jesus Christ - becoming flesh and dwelling among us."
At the conclusion of his sermon, Bishop Grougham asks the congregation not to forget to hang up a stocking for Jesus, because it is HIS birthday we celebrate on Christmas day. I believe this is sound advice. Something all Christians should remember. For Christmas without Jesus is a holiday of exchanging gifts, not a day for celebrating Christ's birth and our redemption.
I encourage all of you to use this last week of Advent to focus on the real meaning of Christmas. Prepare your heart for Christ's coming. And don't forget to place a stocking for Jesus on the mantle of your heart. Fill it with thanksgiving, praise and humble adoration. What better gift could we give Christ, the Savior?
May the Babe of Bethlehem bless you and your family!
God bless.
Posted by bobbi at December 18, 2005 10:43 AM
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