Secularism, paganism, hedonism, materialism, agnosticism, atheism—words that describe the modern drift of society. That being the case, how easy it really is to forget the true meaning of Christmas? Much more than a feast, characterized by buying and selling, eating and drinking, carousing and sinning, it is the celebration of a Person, the greatest Person who ever came to earth, His Birthday and for our salvation. The reason for the season is the Person of Jesus Christ.
Jesus means “Saviour”, as the angel announced to Mary— “He will save the people of their sins.” The extent of His saving power is infinite. He came to save us from sadness, sin, death, hopelessness, and from the eternal loss of our soul. He came in the flesh so many years ago and yet He lives on and will live on in the hearts of those who love Him until the end of times. And thus He said, “I will be with you until the end of the world.”
Therefore confronted with so many obstacles in the modern world, what can we do to prepare ourselves to celebrate His Birthday? We would like to offer you ten ways that you can keep your mind on Christ this Christmas.
1. Silence
Cultivate silence in the depths of your heart. God indeed longs to communicate with you but can only communicate when, like Mary, you have a silent, contemplative and receptive heart. Hosea sums it up! “I will take her to the desert and speak to her heart!” Here, the desert means silence; where we retreat in order for heart to speak to heart. In this way, we can most easily see the “Silent Night” when Christ was born.
2. Prayer
Advent and Lent are key moments in the Liturgical year and must be characterized by more frequent and fervent prayer. Prayer transforms our hearts! St Peter of Alcantara said of the transforming power of prayer,
“In mental prayer the soul is purified from its sins, nourished with charity, confirmed in faith, and strengthened in hope; the mind expands, the affections dilate, the heart is purified, truth becomes evident; temptation is conquered; sadness dispelled; the senses are renovated; the drooping powers revive; tepidity ceases; the rust of vices disappear….”
With these powerful and encouraging words of one of the saints that spiritually directed St. Teresa of Avila, prayer should be essential for our lives, especially as we prepare for the birth for Jesus.
3. Confession
Clean the interior stable so that Jesus can be born! The Child Jesus told St. Jerome that the gift He wanted most were the sins of St Jerome so that he could purify them and renew his heart! In these last days of Advent, why not seek out the Sacrament of Confession and celebrate the birthday of Jesus with a clean conscience?
4. Reconciliation
Make peace with your brothers and sisters that you have damaged due to pride and sin. Christmas and peace go together! Pride and sin close the gates to the entrance of the Child Jesus into your heart.
5. Charity towards the Poor
Look around you and see who is poor and in need and then extend your hands and open your heart to them. As Jesus would remind us, our good works that we do for the poor we are also doing for Jesus. Remember: Jesus is truly in your brother and sister, especially the one most in need!
6. Order the Disordered
St. Ignatius and the Exercises challenge us to order our lives. Why not look into your heart now and cast out anything that is causing disorder and turmoil? What is keeping you distracted as we get closer to the Nativity of Christ?
7. Kindness
In moments of tension, weariness, and overwhelming work responsibilities, the temptation is to snap out and be mean. A mean word is like a hornet’s sting and is not easily forgotten. However, a kind word is soothing, strengthening and source of consolation. As Francis de Sales clearly stated: “You can save more souls with a teaspoon of honey than a barrel of vinegar.”
8. Christmas Light: Your Light
Shine brightly by a life of holiness! Jesus said that he is the Light of the world but also, “You are the light of the world!” May the Christmas lights motivate you to be a human light, casting out the darkness of sin and pointing to Jesus, the light of the world.
9. Communion and Christmas
The word “Christmas” refers to the Mass of Christ and there is no better way to prepare for Christmas then to receive Jesus, the Bread of Life, into your “Bethlehem”—literally, a house of Bread. True Christmas joy is discovered in receiving Jesus with great faith, love and fervor in Holy Communion. “O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.”
10. Mary and Christmas
Advent is a very Marian season. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Christmas day itself—Mary is truly present. The joy of the mother is the birth of her child, and what an immense joy, indeed! The joy of Mary, the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, and our mother, is the birth of Jesus the Lord and Savior. May Mary’s joy be our joy!
True joy and happiness is only found in the Lord. Mary’s Magnificat says it all: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” May this be the most joyful Christmas in your life because Jesus is the center, focus, ands heart of this day—His Nativity. He was born on earth, so that one day you will be born forever in heaven.
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Photo by andreas kretschmer on Unsplash
