Christmas is almost here. What does this mean? What should this mean? Over 2000 years ago, God came to earth as a tiny baby. Does a God Who "so loved the world that He gave His only Son" lead one to hope? Does a God Who so loves each person that He desires to have an intimate friendship and personal relationship with each person offer hope? Does a God Who came not to condemn but rather with the desire to forgive sins, to save each person, and to bring conversion of hearts bring hope to the human heart? Does a God Who still dwells amongst humanity and its suffering and longs for each person to hear His voice in the silence of their hearts give hope? Does a God Who thirsts for each person to receive His love bring hope? Does having a Heavenly Father Who wants to make each person His child through Baptism, draw each person into one family, and hold and heal each person He has created in His image and likeness bring hope?
What a blessed time of year this is and what a mystery this is to be celebrated and lived each day of one's life. What a mystery of God's love. No one is alone. There is a Heavenly Father and a Heavenly Mother who love each person unconditionally and uniquely. Jesus gave His Mother Mary, the woman who kept God safe in her womb and held Him in her arms, to each person as their mother too. While hanging on the cross, the words Christ spoke to Mary and to the disciple whom He loved (John), He meant for each human person. "Woman, behold your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your Mother!" (John 19:26-27). Does having the woman God chose to be His Mother be our Mother too lead one to hope?
In 1531, the Mother of God, Mary, appeared to a humble Native American in Mexico, Juan Diego. She was pregnant with Christ and left an image of herself on Juan's tilma, which is still preserved to this day. It can be visited at the Basilica of Our Lady of Gaudalupe in Mexico City. May the following words of love and compassion she had spoken to Juan Diego bring consolation to each of her children this Christmas. "Do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?"
Merry Christmas!
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