The Little Light of Mine
Let This Christmas Ignite Eternal Joy
by Kim Long, DRE, St. Mary of the Pines
by Sr. Martinette Rivers, ols
F
irst something happens; a girl says yes, a trip is planned, a child is born, an old man dies feeling fulfilled, a mother worries, a father dreams. Events that could have happened to anyone, but in fact, happened to Mary and Joseph and some people they knew. Two children are running, on the breezeway before our religious classes begin. I squat down like a short stop and say “Don’t run!” in my most authoritative and “school principal” like tones and the two boys slow down to a fast trot. Classes begin, and there is almost a humming noise as though I am hearing a well oiled machine work away; teachers sharing their faith, children sharing a crayon, and me breathing a sigh of satisfaction mingled with relief that everything is as it should be, at least in this moment, on this particular Wednesday. Then something happened…a child became ill; telephones rang, text message alerts sounded, tears were shed, doctors attempted careful assurance, novenas begun, a prayer quilt was requested, hope was clung to. Events that could have happened to anyone but this time it was someone we knew. In the weeks that followed we prayed for this child, one of our own, in our closing assemblies each Wednesday for two weeks. There would be a very different prayer on the following Wednesday. How to explain the death of a child to children? I wanted no part of that, hard enough to comprehend it myself and delicately, bowing to the chain of command, I handed this off to my pastor. He did an amazing job as did the grief counselors. As we gathered for closing assembly that night, each class had chosen a representative to come to the podium and offer a prayer for this child and while these prayers were being read in shaky, sad, but oh so trusting voices, their classmates turned on their battery operated tea lights so that by the time all the prayers were offered the room was awash with light and love. Something is always happening whether here and now or 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. Things are always in motion, we are always in motion, and this is the nature of life. Our motion is cyclical - birth and death, Advent to Christ the King, here to there, up and then down. We are always moving towards God’s light and love. Not a stable, but in our case recently, a parish hall filled with children and adults struggling in the darkness of tragedy, not the Star of Bethlehem, but tea lights guiding us toward that beautiful light of Christ.
16 17 Catholic Connection December 2011
I
t’s Christmas, the day God became man among us. What a remarkable moment that was for the world, thousands of years ago when Divinity arrived in their midst and in ours! The anniversary of Jesus’ birth speaks of God’s love for us, His Majesty among us, His coming just for you and me. In this season of Christmas remember Christ is among us. It is a time of joy which no one can take away from us. Watch the eyes of a child this Christmas as they ‘dance with utter contentment,’ their smile is not only on the lips, but in the eyes and in the heart. Could this joy become ours this year? Let your joy be the joy of Jesus as you celebrate and never let it fade away. If it’s authentic joy, it will overflow to others. Let it happen as you decorate your tree, put up the lights, make your Christmas cookies, and remember this is the time to celebrate and be glad, for “Christ is among us.” Christmas energy should be your driving force. Live exuberantly now, share your smiles and kind words and love everyone. Enthusiasm should be your special gift this year, not merely thoughts about yourself and what gift your children will give you. The Christmas joy in your heart does not lie in results, but in the effort you put forth to make it possible. Pretend you are a child again and let your eyes radiate the joy within your heart. Let the ‘delightful eternal child’ within you play again this year. Our Christmases could be so much more fun if the playing and creating we do brings back the happy memories of our childhood. When something gives us pleasure it is not a waste of time. Put more enthusaism into your day, a twinkle in your eye, a smile on your face. Sing during Christmas like an angel; send someone a Christmas flower. Enjoy what you have and be filled with the spirit of Christmas. Joy cannot be found in a stocking or bought in a gift shop, only you can put forth a Christmas energy filled with enthusiasm, love, peace and joy welling up inside of you this Christmas season. Let the light of God’s glory shine upon you. Jesus is your Christmas gift and he wants you to celebrate with wonder and joy, his birth in Bethlehem. Let it become a bit of paradise on earth as you become fully present to others this Christmas. Let your mind go back and relive all your happy moments, your best Christmas. It must have been filled with love. Let the Christmas music transport you into another place, the Christmas candy canes remind you of your Good Shepherd watching over you, the Christmas cake fill your eyes with delight and let that ‘delightful eternal child’ live on into the future. Buon Natale! A holy and happy Christmas season to each of you from Italy!