The Christmas story and season is really a story of the unexpected.
1. God comes to earth? Yes, that is true. God, from heaven, came and took his place within the womb of a woman named Mary. Conceived through the Holy Spirit, Joseph has to come to grips, through the message of an angel, that his wife has not been unfaithful. We look for words of wisdom from this poor carpenter in the pages of the Bible yet not a word is quoted of Saint Joseph.
2. Shepherds herald the good news. Yes, stinky shepherds are the first to proclaim the Christ-child. Why shepherds? We know the intention of Herod, to kill the Christ-child; thus, King Herod would never announce the birth of another king. As for shepherds, what do they have to hide? Nothing. Too, it is shepherds, not a single shepherd, meaning there is more credibility in many voices.
3. John the Baptist baptizing Jesus? That is what the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord teaches. John insisted that it not happen; however, the voice of Jesus intervenes, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15).
4. God born in a stable and laid in a manger? That is what we teach (cf. Luke 2:7).
5. As for the men from the east, we really are uncertain of what they were. Magi? Kings? Astrologers? Yet, they come. We know their story - they arrive from the east following a star, inquire of King Herod, lay their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh at the feet of the Christ-child, and return home by another route. To their story, there is something I believe we miss. Imagine in their travels the bitter cold of crossing the mountains of Persia, the expenses it took to stay in inns and feed the camels. Was there hunger? Sleepless nights? Possibly. Still, they persisted and were rewarded with the gift of all gifts - the beauty of God.
All of this is a lesson for this Christmas season. God takes the unexpected and makes it exceptional.
God's blessing's! Father Peter Schuster
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Blessed Advent!
Blessed Advent!
As we embark upon a new Church season, it is important to recall that seasons have meaning. The Christmas season celebrates the birth of a Savior - Jesus Christ (Christmas) and his manifestation to the whole world (Epiphany). Lent embarks upon forty days of prayer and fasting with Jesus in the desert. Advent means "coming." God, in the person of Jesus, came to save us from our sins. Christians throughout the world anticipate Christ's coming at the end of time. And, Jesus comes to us at every moment of our lives; he is the one who feeds us, showing us the path to the Father while respecting our free will. As Advent has dawned, let us reflect upon symbols of this season.
1. The Advent wreath helps us to remember that Jesus came as light into the world. In the midst of these short days, sunlight being less than half our day, we realize our dependence upon light. We need light to live and grow, and Jesus is the one who provides.
2. Violet is symbolic of repentance and preparing. Advent prepares us for Christ's coming. To prepare ourselves, we must remember the need to be repentant people. The voice of John the Baptist, on the Second Sunday of Advent, tells us, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:2) The word repent begs us to change from our sinful ways and center ourselves upon Jesus. Prayer, charity, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation point us to repentance.
3. Four is a symbolic number to our faith. There are four evangelists, four gospel versions, and four Cardinal virtues. Advent is marked by four weeks. With the fourth Sunday of Advent, we know in the week ahead, the story of Christmas will be told. Christmas can fall from the Monday after the fourth Sunday of Advent till the following Sunday; however, that fourth candle on the Advent wreath celebrates the nearness of Christmas.
The above are only a few of the symbols, yet they mark the uniqueness of Advent. May our celebration of Advent be filled with God's grace as we ready ourselves for Jesus Christ.
Father Peter Schuster
As we embark upon a new Church season, it is important to recall that seasons have meaning. The Christmas season celebrates the birth of a Savior - Jesus Christ (Christmas) and his manifestation to the whole world (Epiphany). Lent embarks upon forty days of prayer and fasting with Jesus in the desert. Advent means "coming." God, in the person of Jesus, came to save us from our sins. Christians throughout the world anticipate Christ's coming at the end of time. And, Jesus comes to us at every moment of our lives; he is the one who feeds us, showing us the path to the Father while respecting our free will. As Advent has dawned, let us reflect upon symbols of this season.
1. The Advent wreath helps us to remember that Jesus came as light into the world. In the midst of these short days, sunlight being less than half our day, we realize our dependence upon light. We need light to live and grow, and Jesus is the one who provides.
2. Violet is symbolic of repentance and preparing. Advent prepares us for Christ's coming. To prepare ourselves, we must remember the need to be repentant people. The voice of John the Baptist, on the Second Sunday of Advent, tells us, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matthew 3:2) The word repent begs us to change from our sinful ways and center ourselves upon Jesus. Prayer, charity, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation point us to repentance.
3. Four is a symbolic number to our faith. There are four evangelists, four gospel versions, and four Cardinal virtues. Advent is marked by four weeks. With the fourth Sunday of Advent, we know in the week ahead, the story of Christmas will be told. Christmas can fall from the Monday after the fourth Sunday of Advent till the following Sunday; however, that fourth candle on the Advent wreath celebrates the nearness of Christmas.
The above are only a few of the symbols, yet they mark the uniqueness of Advent. May our celebration of Advent be filled with God's grace as we ready ourselves for Jesus Christ.
Father Peter Schuster
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