A Christmas point of view

There’s an old story that goes something like this: Many years ago there lived a young disciple and his elder. 

The disciple asked the elder, “Holy One, I have a great spiritual question I need to ask you. Is there life after death?” 

The Holy One thought and said, “That is a great question, but it is not the greatest of spiritual questions. The greatest spiritual question would be, “is there life before death”?

In my studies, the more I learn about Jesus the more I realize that he was devoted to teaching us to live life to the fullest.  He desired to show us how to live fully before our death.

I also know from my readings that Jesus knew and studied the Psalms.  One thing about the Psalms is that when we pray them we will realize that they call us to a way of life that is not heavily  steeped in legalism and rigidity.  Psalms teaches me that God loves all his people and he always listens to his people. As I read Psalms I get to know a personal God who wants good and gives good to everyone. No one is left out of his love for creation. There is no need to fear. This is a wonderful Advent message.

This mornings Psalms touched me deeply, a portion read at Mass said,

Good and upright is the LORD; thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way.

This time of year is a joyful time.  We gather with family, we read the story of Jesus’ birth, we exchange gifts with loved ones, we give to the needy, we visit family,  and we sit down to a special meal surrounded by those whom we care for.  Our blessings for one another include messages of hope, peace, love, and faith.  All things that remind us of our blessings and that we are called to share them with everyone.

This particular Christmas I have caught myself repeating these two words in my daily reflections: humility and trust. I realize how important it is for me to trust completely in  God, especially whenever I am  experiencing  personal challenges. I contemplate the Nativity in the Manger and I see how much trust Joseph and Mary had and I am challenged to ask for that kind of trust in my personal prayer time with God.  I ask myself, how can I be so trusting that I allow God’s will be done to me?  It is then I realize, I must pray more and immerse myself more in his word.

I am aware that praying doesn’t change the world, but it does change me.  I ask for a life that is full, that is renewed each day, one that overflows so that others see God through my  decisions and actions. Often I fail. Often I point fingers and blame others for my failures.  Slowly I am learning that God is more than I can ever imagine. I am so limited by my human imagination: I see how I put God in “a box”, how I often ask him to choose sides.  What matters is not focusing on who is on God’s side and who is not. The better thing is to reflect; am I on God’s side? This is a matter of humility.

So this Christmas I resolve to be joyful and to love those around me, even when I struggle to do so.  
I will trust that the infant king that came into our world so many years ago did so for a divine purpose.  I pray God shows me the way and that I be open to listening and seeing him in everyone and in every circumstance, no matter how difficult.  I will pray that like Mary and Joseph,  I too am on the side of his divine purpose.