Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2008 / We need the Christmas message of hope more than ever
We need the Christmas
message of hope more than ever
Published December 19, 2008
My Brothers and Sisters in the Lord:
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Photo courtesy St. Mary Queen of Creation Parish | The Michigan Catholic
Woodcarving of the Nativity from the Joyous Mysteries of the Rosary series at St. Mary Queen of Creation Church in New Baltimore. |
As we prepare for Christmas 2008, I greet you with the words of the angel to the shepherds that first Christmas morning: "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord" (Luke 2:11).
Christmas 2008 will undoubtedly be quite different for most of us. Given the economic uncertainty of the times and the fact that many have lost employment, and even their homes, we will be celebrating in a way that is more simple and modest. In fact, for many, there will probably be little reason for celebration and for some, perhaps no opportunity for celebration at all. No matter what our circumstances, every one of us feels somewhat overshadowed by fear about things we cannot control. We wonder where the future will take us individually, in our families, and as a society. Our metro area and the automobile industry are going through a time of major transition, causing every one of us to take a second look at who we are and what we do.
More than ever, we need to reflect on the hope-filled message of Christmas. Again and again in the Christmas Gospels, whenever an angel appears, consistently the message is the same: "Do not be afraid.
" Mary heard those consoling words at the Annunciation. Joseph heard those same words several times in St Matthew's account of Christ's birth. Aged Zachariah was given the same advice as he and his wife, Elizabeth, were about to receive the surprising gift and challenge of the birth of a son, John the Baptist. As I mentioned at the outset of the column, the shepherds who first heard the Good News were also commissioned not to be afraid.
Fear is a natural human reaction; it is instinctive for humans to be afraid of the unknown or things that are unpredictable and unfamiliar. Every manifestation of God should make us feel a bit off-balance, overwhelmed by the surprising gift and mystery of God's presence and commitment to us in sending His own Son. We need the right kind of fear "fear of the Lord," not fear of human forces. "Fear of the Lord" one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit means a loving respect for the wonder, majesty, and mystery of God all powerful yet humbly very near to us.
As we grapple with fears within our hearts and fear around us, we need to be ever-more sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit trying to calm us from within, assuring us that not only will we survive but we will indeed grow closer to God as we give up any false pride or illusive desire for control. We need to set aside human fears and embrace fear of the Lord.
The Christmas story reminds us of the way God chose to show His abiding love for us by sending His Son to dwell among us at a particular point in time and to a particular group of people. He came in such a hidden way that no one recognized His presence. The message of Good News was first proclaimed to shepherds, people who were social outcasts and, therefore, not acceptable or credible witnesses. Yet the Lord entrusted to them the Good News and commissioned them to share it. Why did He pick shepherds? Possibly because shepherds had to be people of great courage, spending all night through every season guarding and protecting their flock from wild animals. Shepherds were attentive and patient, humble and strong an excellent combination of traits, the same qualities we need in the midst of these challenging times.
The Christmas message has a very intimate and personal quality to it, but at the same time, the Christmas experience is a public and communal event, a manifestation for all to see, a mystery for all to encounter and share. We need to express our faith in public ways participating in the Mass and the Sacraments, singing Christmas carols, putting our faith into action through visiting the sick and reaching out to the disadvantaged, proudly displaying our Christmas creche and so forth. As we do these things, however modest or simple, we are helping to proclaim a hope and a joy to our brothers and sisters in these times of darkness and anxiety.
Every one of us has the ability to be a messenger of the Christmas story in word or deed. I pray that we will all take the time to celebrate the sacrament of penance in preparation for Christmas, spend some time in prayer and in quiet with the Lord, and then enjoy the gift of the Lord's presence in one another, sharing our story of faith and hope with family, friends, and co-workers. Very likely, in the providence of God, Christmas 2008 may become one of the best Christmases ever because it will be more spiritual than ever!
Please know of my gratitude for the many ways that you and your families have supported our Church of Detroit during the 175 years of our history. I hope and pray that this Christmas, and the beginning of the New Year 2009, will be a time for continued spiritual hope and joy, even in the midst of uncertain times. May God bless you always!
Your brother in the Lord,
Adam Cardinal Maida
Archbishop of Detroit
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