We have a guest blogger today. Arlene B. Muller (Arlene Clare Muller, OFS) is a lector and EM at St. Pancras Church in Glendale, NY, a singer in the choir at St. Margaret's Church in Middle Village, NY, a professed Secular Franciscan & newly elected Formation Director at St. Adalbert's Secular Franciscan fraternity in Elmhurst, NY & an itinerant speech/language therapist who works with preschool children with delayed language development. In addition to her ministries & work she seeks to promote the GOSPEL & the GOSPEL OF LIFE, especially in writing & frequently on FACEBOOK.
This morning as I was listening to SILENT NIGHT on the radio I thought of the paradoxical contrast between the external circumstances of "no room in the inn" & a cave or stable, a manger with straw surrounded by animals that would seem like the exact opposite of what Mary & Joseph would have wanted as the place for the Son of GOD to be born vs the overwhelming LIGHT, LOVE & PEACE that entered when JESUS CHRIST was born.
Despite the seeming total contradiction of the physical appearances, Mary & Joseph's hearts were ready to receive the coming of the Son of GOD into the world. Their hearts were FULL OF LOVE & the LOVE they had for GOD, the LOVE OF GOD that extended out from their hearts was sufficient, and GOD INCARNATE, WHO IS LOVE INCARNATE was BORN, FILLING WHAT ORDINARILY WOULD SEEM LIKE A PHYSICALLY UNLIKELY ENVIRONMENT WITH LIGHT, LOVE, ACCEPTANCE, HOPE, PEACE & JOY!
As the LORD told Samuel, human beings look at the outward appearances, but GOD looks upon the heart. In our human thinking, the INCARNATE SON OF GOD deserved to be born in some immaculate ivory palace, but He chose to be born in a cave.
For GOD a CAVE WITH LOVE is EQUIVALENT to a PALACE & a PALACE WITHOUT LOVE IS EQUIVALENT TO A CAVE!
Most of the time anticipating what needs to be done for CHRISTMAS seems so stressful & overwhelming, but most of the time, when CHRISTMAS actually comes, there is somehow a sense that we can settle down & everything is OK, or as Julian of Norwich would say "ALL IS WELL." In fact, the word "NOEL" associated with CHRISTMAS means "NOW ALL IS WELL". We can experience the acceptance & peace because the LOVE OF GOD transcends outward circumstances and our LOVING GOD is EMMANUEL: GOD IS WITH US.
As we go about doing whatever we have to do to get ready for CHRISTMAS, let us take a deep breath & keep remembering the words from Sacred Scripture: "LET EVERYTHNG YOU DO BE DONE IN LOVE". In the end it is the LOVE FOR GOD & the LOVE FROM GOD poured out into our hearts that extends outward that matters most & is what we celebrate at CHRISTMAS.
Amen 🙏
ReplyDeleteThat's absolutely right, The Lord looks into our hearts. We hope to follow his example of love and compassion towards others. Love endures forever!
The idea of "stop and smell the roses" is always true, but especially during this holy time of year. It certainly is hard to avoid getting caught up in the stress of the hustle and bustle of life with everything going on and the preparations for holiday events, but what our hearts really need right now in this season of wonder is to have childlike amazement for the gift of God becoming human to save all humanity. It is especially significant that the most important person comes into the world in the most simplistic environment possible to be so approachable to all people of the world. God Bless us everyone!
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