The Christmas journey

Dec 21, 2024

We begin the Christmas journey with Mary who, in response to Caesar’s call for a census to be taken – each one to be registered in the home country, leaves Nazareth for Bethlehem. Mary is with Child. She has no time, no priority for anything else except who she is carrying for the journey ahead and she is focused on her destination. Who or what are you carrying in your life today? The trivialities of this world will all be claimed back in decay. What useless hurts or grievances are still in your memory? You allow them to harden your heart. Is it worth it?

Quietly, Joseph walks by her side, aware of his responsibility, not heavy because she is his wife and the Child she is carrying is special as it was told to him in a dream. Marriage and parenthood are God’s gifts. What is Joseph telling you? Work as a provider to put food on the table, the worry and anxiety in the place of work, the never-ending demands on you even if you are the CEO, which many of you are not, can weaken your resolve to be faithful and loving. If you forget who your partner is, remember who the Queen of Heaven and her child are, your Saviour. Join Joseph at the carpenter’s workshop to change your drudgery into a labour of love.

The donkey plods along the dusty bumpy country road, mindlessly accepting his stereotype epithet. An image of stupidity. If you subscribe to that, you have a problem. His value is not determined by you but by his inner awareness and connection to the ‘burden’ on his back. You work and work. You stretch and strain, day after day, week after week etc etc. Why? The people you carry in your life, for whom you live, care for and work need you to transport them to their next level of growth, physical, social and spiritual. Give thanks for all the people who carried you over the bumpy paths in your life.

Twinkle twinkle little star! In the darkness of night. Social media feeds our greed or lust for bad news - the more violent, the more salacious, the better. Caught in this web, you can choose to shine even if it is only a small ray. Walk away from gossip, throw in a kind word for the one who is being maligned, say a silent prayer when you hear a curse word, avoid harmful websites, control you handphone and computer. The Eucharist, Holy Communion and daily prayer will keep you shining in the gloom of negativity.

You live in a comfortable home furnished with what would be the height of luxury compared to a humble stable, a refugee centre, a detention camp. Of course, you worked hard for it. You were blessed with health, education, opportunities all the way. Was there a donkey who carried you? A star (role model, mentor) who lighted your way? Do the people and the contents of the stable challenge your discipleship? Any trophy won is paid for by someone’ s loss. What is the price of our redemption? Where have you risked something to gain something for another person. Are you a taker or a giver? Mother Teresa’s words “give till it hurts or don’t give at all.” We were given the only Son!

The little lamb in the stable is young, innocent, a potential big sheep that will command big money with its valuable fleece (can be shorn again and again!) and much sought- after mutton. Many of his kind were slaughtered in the past and many will continue to be slaughtered. By whom? His owners and / or those with power. Perhaps you share his fate at different times in your life. Have you power or control in the stable of your environment? Who is the little lamb? You decide whether he or she will be your redemption or your damnation (if you slaughter him / her for sordid gain). Decide to-day.

The roof of the stable shrieks to a world that is increasingly exclusive. Gates and doors to power, wealth, resources, opportunities, growth, keep the minority inside, safe and sound, immune to hardship and suffering – an earthly ‘heaven’. Cries for inclusivity outside these golden gates, from Church and missionary disciples, are murmurs falling on ears hardened by excessive indulgence. Which side of the gates are you on? The Shepherd’s staff draws you to Him. Why resist?

A baby comes into the world with clenched fists and loud cries, responding to a smack on his bottom to initiate a rush of life-giving oxygen to his lungs. A welcome reception to humanity. Join Mary and Joseph gazing at Baby Jesus, with hands not clenched but extended to receive, one little foot crossed over the other, eyes limpid with emotion, communicating enough love and compassion to save and redeem every Child of God in every place and time. Will you allow Him to embrace you and will you embrace Him in everyone you meet along life’s highway? --Sr Anne Wong IJS