As I write, I get a feeling of emptiness from the society that surrounds me. It’s the pre-Christmas Season. The ornamental light decorations are on. Gifts are bought. Christmas has just “been born” in the midst of people running everywhere with feelings of unmet goals accompanied by frenzy and stress.
I look for another Christmas.
I want a different kind of Christmas, one that never ends; a Christmas that passes not leaving behind any emptiness, but warmth and purpose. Better yet, I want an immortal Christmas for everyone, never fading, with lights never extinguished: an eternal Christmas. What do I mean by this? I mean: the reason for existing, the reason of being for a Christian is “to be” Christmas. All that a Christian lives and does is essentially Christmas – Nativity. Who’s nativity? Jesus’ of course. Whenever Jesus is born, it is Christmas.
Now, then, what does a mother do? She gives birth. Who gave birth to Jesus in this world? Mary
The one who believes in Jesus Christ takes Mary’s place: he or she fulfills their destiny of giving birth to Jesus whenever this question is asked: “What would Jesus do in my place?” Whenever through faith and prayer the real presence of Jesus is brought to mind and heart; whenever they try to be humble and patient as Jesus throughout the day: Jesus is born again. It’s Christmas.
When having to live one of those critical weeks whether in the family, the neighborhood, or at work where the atmosphere is intolerable: marital failure, fighting among children, tensions, gossip, rivalries…
When this kind of situation is weighing heavily upon us, we can get the grace to experience what Jesus would feel in his heart when He said: “Love one another”… and if, with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, we start a plan of creating harmony with patience and pedagogy, in order to build trust and love, always thinking of Jesus, this peace-making task will succeed little by little to clean that heavy atmosphere. There will be miracles.
A miracle brought about by this holy “maternity,” which gives birth to Jesus again, saturating the air with the peace of Bethlehem. What a wonderful Christmas!
And so, day in and day out throughout the year and our life one asks, What would Jesus do in my place? What would Jesus feel? So many surpassed limitations, so many overcome impulses, so much violence quenched, so many healed injuries, so many forgiven trespasses, so much defused aggressiveness… miracles…The believer gives birth to Jesus continuously with an everlasting maternal action… And we can be the “mother” who delivers and cares for Jesus until He reaches his full stature.
With Jesus anything is possible. Let’s make possible the Peace of Bethlehem in every day of our life…
Adapted from Circular Letter 14
by Father Ignacio Larrañaga
