December 22, 2019
Fourth Sunday of Advent/Christmas
Reading I: Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 24
Reading II: Romans 1:1-7
Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24
We usually celebrate Christmas around the time of the Winter Solstice, which marks the shortest day of the year. Following the solstice, the days begin to get longer. Even before the time of Jesus, the ancient peoples celebrated the longer light with Winter Solstice Festivals. Now, Jesus is referred to as the Light of the World and thus lights are important symbols of Christmas.
Light reveals things to us. The ancient peoples recognized that there is a Creator of our world by studying Nature. They understood that God is powerful and intelligent. They experienced Him as their Provider as they harvested food from the earth.
However, when Jesus came as one of us, he revealed other qualities of God. Since he often referred to his Father, his disciples were anxious to see him and even asked Jesus to show them the Father. The response of Jesus was that when they looked at Jesus, they saw the Father, since the Father and Jesus were one.
If Jesus had not come to us in human form, we would not have understood that God is compassionate, yet just. For example, in a world where women were considered less than men, Jesus related to them in a respectful and loving manner. We have a deeper understanding of God because of how Jesus lived. Jesus entered this world of darkness to bring us the light of life.
We also learn a lot about the light of faith from Mary and Joseph. As a very young woman, Mary trusted God enough to say "Yes" to the virginal conception of Jesus and all the suffering that would entail. How could she explain to Joseph that she had been faithful to him when she was already pregnant without their having consummated their marriage?
What confusion and hurt Joseph must have felt when he realized Mary's pregnancy? His love was so strong that he chose to treat her with kindness, even before an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said to him,
"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife into your home, for it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins." (Matt 1:20)
Both Mary and Joseph showed deep faith and obedience to the will of God, in spite of all the suffering they had to endure. One of my favorite memories is the witnessing of a posada when I was teaching at St. Catherine Indian School in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The word posada means "inn" or "shelter." Our community always included people of other cultures. One year, a Spanish brother and sister were chosen from our school to represent Mary and Joseph in a posada. I had never even heard of a posada before that time.
A posada is an important Mexican Christmas tradition that is practiced in some parts of the United States now. The posada reenacts the story of Mary and Joseph's attempt to find shelter in Bethlehem after their long trip to comply with Caesar Augustus' order to return to the town of their family origin for a census. Since Joseph was of the house and family David, that meant difficult to travel by donkey and on foot at a time when Mary was near the time to give birth.
Because of the census,
Bethlehem was crowded with people returning to the place of their family
origin. The posada recalls the difficulties of Mary and
Joseph experienced finding shelter as Mary is about to give birth. In the posada, either
people or images representing Mary and Joseph traveling from place to place are
followed by a candlelight procession of people singing Christmas Carols. Joseph dramatizes the requesting of a place to stay and another person,
representing an innkeeper, responds that there is no room for them.
Finally, one person
takes pity on them and offers them a place in a cave used for an animal
shelter. It is there that the King of the Universe and Light of the World
is to be born. The people in the procession
are invited into a home or building and there is much celebration. It is a
beautiful reminder of the importance of opening our hearts for Jesus to be born
again in us so that his light can shine in our world today.
Reflection Question: How can I make room in my
heart so that Jesus can be born again in me and bring light and love into our
world today?
Lectura I: Isaías 7:10-14
La luz nos revela cosas. Los pueblos antiguos reconocieron que existe un Creador de nuestro mundo al estudiar le Naturaleza. Ellos entendieron que Dios es ponderoso e inteligente. Lo experimentaron como su Proveedor mientras cosenchaban alimentos de la tierra.
Sin embargo, cuando Jesús vino como uno de nosotros, reveló otras cualidades de Dios. Como a menudo se refería a su Padre, sus discípulos estaban ansiosos por verlo e incluso le pidieron a Jesús que les mostrara al Padre. La respuesta de Jesús fue que cuando miraban a Jesús, veían al Padre, ya que el Padre y Jesús eran uno.
También aprendemos mucho sobre la luz de la fe de María y José. Como una mujer muy joven, María confiaba en Dios lo suficiente como para decir "Sí" a la concepción virginal de Jesús y todo el sufrimiento que conllevaría. ¿Cómo podía explicarle a José que había sido fiel a él cuando ya estaba embarazada sin que hubieran consumado su matrimonio?
Tanto María como José mostraton una profunda fe y obediencia a la coluntad de Dioa, a pesar de todo el sufrimiento que tuvieron que soportar. Uno de mis recuerdos faoritos es ser testigo de una posada cuando estaba enseñando en la Escuela de Indígenas St. Catherine en Santa Fe, Nuevo México. La palabra posada significa "posada" o "refugio". Nuestra comunidad siempre incluía personas de ostras culturas. Un año, un hermano y una hermana españoles fueron elegidos de nuestra escuela para representar a María y José en una posada. Nunca antes había oído hablar de una posada.
Una posada es una importante tradición navideña mexicana que ahora se practica en algunas partes de los Estados Unidos. La posada recrea la historia del intento de María y José de encontrar refugio en Belén después de su largo viaje para cumplir con la orden de César Augusto de regresar a la ciudad de origen familiar para un censo. Como José era de la casa y la familia de David, eso significaba que era difícil viajar en momento en que María estaba cerca del momento de dar a luz.
Spanish Translation
Cuarto domingo de Adviento/Navidad
Lectura I: Isaías 7:10-14
Salmo 24
Lectura II: Romanos 1:1-7
Evangelio: Matthew 1:18-24
Por lo general, celebramos la Navidad en la época del solsticio de invierno, que marca el día más corto del año. Después del solsicio, los días comienzan a alargarse. Incluso antes de la época de Jesús, los pueblos antiguos celebraban la luz más larfa con los festivales de solsticio de invierno. Ahora, a Jesús se le conoce como la Luz del Mundo y, por lo tanto, las luces son símbolos importantes de la Navidad.
La luz nos revela cosas. Los pueblos antiguos reconocieron que existe un Creador de nuestro mundo al estudiar le Naturaleza. Ellos entendieron que Dios es ponderoso e inteligente. Lo experimentaron como su Proveedor mientras cosenchaban alimentos de la tierra.
Sin embargo, cuando Jesús vino como uno de nosotros, reveló otras cualidades de Dios. Como a menudo se refería a su Padre, sus discípulos estaban ansiosos por verlo e incluso le pidieron a Jesús que les mostrara al Padre. La respuesta de Jesús fue que cuando miraban a Jesús, veían al Padre, ya que el Padre y Jesús eran uno.
Si Jesús no hubiera venido a nosotros en forma humana, no habríamos entendido que Dios es compasivo, pero justo. Por ejemplo, en un mundo donde las mujeres eran consideradas menos que los hombres, Jesús se relacionó con ellas de manera respuruosa y amorosa. Tenemos una comprensión más profunda de Dios debido a cómo vivió Jesús. Jesús entró en este mundo de oscuridad para traernos la luz de la vida.
También aprendemos mucho sobre la luz de la fe de María y José. Como una mujer muy joven, María confiaba en Dios lo suficiente como para decir "Sí" a la concepción virginal de Jesús y todo el sufrimiento que conllevaría. ¿Cómo podía explicarle a José que había sido fiel a él cuando ya estaba embarazada sin que hubieran consumado su matrimonio?
¿Qué confusión y dolor debió haber sentido José cuando de dio cuenta del embaraza de María? Su amor era tan fuerte que decidió tratarla con amabilidad, incluso antes de que un ángel del Señor se le apareciera en un sueño y le dijera:
"José, hijo de David, no tendas miendo de llevar a María como tu esposa a tu casa, porque es por medio del Espíritu Santo que este niño fue condebido en ella. Ella dará a luz un hijo y debes llarmarlo Jesús porque él salvará a su pueblo de sus pecados". (Mateo 1:20)
"José, hijo de David, no tendas miendo de llevar a María como tu esposa a tu casa, porque es por medio del Espíritu Santo que este niño fue condebido en ella. Ella dará a luz un hijo y debes llarmarlo Jesús porque él salvará a su pueblo de sus pecados". (Mateo 1:20)
Tanto María como José mostraton una profunda fe y obediencia a la coluntad de Dioa, a pesar de todo el sufrimiento que tuvieron que soportar. Uno de mis recuerdos faoritos es ser testigo de una posada cuando estaba enseñando en la Escuela de Indígenas St. Catherine en Santa Fe, Nuevo México. La palabra posada significa "posada" o "refugio". Nuestra comunidad siempre incluía personas de ostras culturas. Un año, un hermano y una hermana españoles fueron elegidos de nuestra escuela para representar a María y José en una posada. Nunca antes había oído hablar de una posada.
Una posada es una importante tradición navideña mexicana que ahora se practica en algunas partes de los Estados Unidos. La posada recrea la historia del intento de María y José de encontrar refugio en Belén después de su largo viaje para cumplir con la orden de César Augusto de regresar a la ciudad de origen familiar para un censo. Como José era de la casa y la familia de David, eso significaba que era difícil viajar en momento en que María estaba cerca del momento de dar a luz.
Debido al censo, Belén estaba abarrotada de personas que regresaban al lugar de origen de su familia. La posada recuerda las dificultades de María y José para encontrar refugio cuando María está a punto de dar a luz. En la posada, las personas o las imágenes que representan a María y José que viajan de un lugar a otro son suguidas por una procesión de velas cantando villancicos navideños. José dramatiza la solicitud de un lugar para quedarse y otra persona, que representa a un posadero, responde que no hay espacio para ellos.
Finalmente, una persona se compadece de ellos y les ofrece un lugar en una cueva utilizada como refugio para animales. Es allí donde nacerá el Rey del Universo y la Luz de Mundo. Las personas en la procesión son invitadas a una casa o edificio y hay mucha celebración. Es un ermoso recordatorio de la importancia de abrir nuestros corazones para que Jesús nazca de nuevo en nosotros para que su luz pueda brillar en nuestro mundo de hoy.
Pregunta de Reflexión: ¿Cómo puedo hacer espacio en mi corazón para que Jesús pueda nacer de nuevo en mí y traer luz y amor a nuestro mundo hoy?
Comments
Stephanie Morris, ASBS, Ph.D Historian, Certified Archivist, Emerita
Stephanie Morris, ASBS, Ph.D Historian, Certified Archivist, Emerita
Is my heart a rough-hewn manger or a soft crib, waiting for the Infant Savior? Angry or hurtful memories are harsh and rough; prayers and kind acts can soften these. Praying for those with whom we are angry or doing quiet acts of kindness can line the crib of our heart with soft pieces of straw. We don’t have to do great deeds; any ordinary action “extraordinarily well done” for the love of God will cushion our hearts to provide a welcoming crib for the Infant Jesus.
It snowed overnight and the next morning as I drove to the office I was in awe of the beauty of the freshly fallen snow covering the trees and vast grassy areas. There was a sense of stillness and peace on the Interstate Highway. As I was taking in this incredible scenery, the song “Christmas Shoes” started playing on the radio. It’s about the love of an impoverished young boy for his terminally ill mother and a man who was very much trapped in the chains of success and attainment. Through this young boy’s desire to make his dying mother look beautiful to meet Jesus on that Christmas Eve, by wearing the red shoes he wanted to buy for her, this distracted man awakened to the Presence of God in Christmas. Tears poured from my eyes. In the sacred space of my car during the “holy hour” of my commute, I encountered the true Spirit of Christmas in the message of that song. At the same time, I felt deeply saddened at how the focus on the birth of Christ has become, in general, such a minor part of Christmas.
Prior to reading your blog, I was not familiar with a Posada. I really like the practice because it draws our attention to the difficulties that Joseph and Mary encountered on their “census pilgrimage” to Bethlehem. Exhausted after their forced journey of over 100 miles, there was no room at the inn for them to rest. Joseph’s heart must have been wrenched with disappointment at not being able to provide comfort and warmth for Mary. Yet, we celebrate their journey with illumined festivity. In reality, it was a very dark and dangerous walk. The fear resulting from the political unrest that gripped Bethlehem, and the smell of the manger have been obscured by sentimentality and commercialism.
This time of the year is very painful for many people. Strained finances, fragile relationships, unrealized hopes and expectations are acutely felt even though the “air” is filled with bright lights, shiny tinsel and Holiday music. We will never find the enduring happiness for which we yearn in the world no matter how festively it is packaged and how elegantly it is served up.
The wholeness, the oneness, the peace, the connection to the Christ child that many of us seek will be found in simplification and quiet reflection on the mystery of the incarnation. For some individuals, finding the way to the Christ child might include the willingness to accompany Joseph and Mary on the road to Bethlehem by examining the rough terrain that remains in one’s heart –remnants of resentment, anger, selfishness - and doing the work to release them so there will be room in our heart to receive Jesus. He came to heal and comfort the weak and the vulnerable – where else need we look but to the Baby in the manger to restore us to grace, peace and the reclaiming of our identity as the child of God that we are.
With an uncluttered, open heart, we can invite the Christ Child to be born anew within us, to illuminate His light in us and fill us with His Love. This renewal is the true miracle of Christmas. Having received these divine gifts, not only can we rejoice; we will radiate His light and love in the world.
Pat Chiaffa, ASBS
Monday evening, December 9 th, was my company “Holiday” party. The event was held at a beautifully decorated country club. The food and drinks were delectable and plentiful. It was nice having the opportunity to chat leisurely with co-workers and each of us received a bottle of wine to take home. I drove home feeling grateful for the generosity of my employer. But, I wasn’t feeling “holiday-ish.” It was straight to bed for me because tomorrow was a workday.It snowed overnight and the next morning as I drove to the office I was in awe of the beauty of the freshly fallen snow covering the trees and vast grassy areas. There was a sense of stillness and peace on the Interstate Highway. As I was taking in this incredible scenery, the song “Christmas Shoes” started playing on the radio. It’s about the love of an impoverished young boy for his terminally ill mother and a man who was very much trapped in the chains of success and attainment. Through this young boy’s desire to make his dying mother look beautiful to meet Jesus on that Christmas Eve, by wearing the red shoes he wanted to buy for her, this distracted man awakened to the Presence of God in Christmas. Tears poured from my eyes. In the sacred space of my car during the “holy hour” of my commute, I encountered the true Spirit of Christmas in the message of that song. At the same time, I felt deeply saddened at how the focus on the birth of Christ has become, in general, such a minor part of Christmas.
Prior to reading your blog, I was not familiar with a Posada. I really like the practice because it draws our attention to the difficulties that Joseph and Mary encountered on their “census pilgrimage” to Bethlehem. Exhausted after their forced journey of over 100 miles, there was no room at the inn for them to rest. Joseph’s heart must have been wrenched with disappointment at not being able to provide comfort and warmth for Mary. Yet, we celebrate their journey with illumined festivity. In reality, it was a very dark and dangerous walk. The fear resulting from the political unrest that gripped Bethlehem, and the smell of the manger have been obscured by sentimentality and commercialism.
This time of the year is very painful for many people. Strained finances, fragile relationships, unrealized hopes and expectations are acutely felt even though the “air” is filled with bright lights, shiny tinsel and Holiday music. We will never find the enduring happiness for which we yearn in the world no matter how festively it is packaged and how elegantly it is served up.
The wholeness, the oneness, the peace, the connection to the Christ child that many of us seek will be found in simplification and quiet reflection on the mystery of the incarnation. For some individuals, finding the way to the Christ child might include the willingness to accompany Joseph and Mary on the road to Bethlehem by examining the rough terrain that remains in one’s heart –remnants of resentment, anger, selfishness - and doing the work to release them so there will be room in our heart to receive Jesus. He came to heal and comfort the weak and the vulnerable – where else need we look but to the Baby in the manger to restore us to grace, peace and the reclaiming of our identity as the child of God that we are.
With an uncluttered, open heart, we can invite the Christ Child to be born anew within us, to illuminate His light in us and fill us with His Love. This renewal is the true miracle of Christmas. Having received these divine gifts, not only can we rejoice; we will radiate His light and love in the world.
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