How much more then does our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ fill us with joy and peace! Christmas joy floods us when we celebrate the birthday of our King, kneeling before the Nativity scene where the Baby lies Who is Son of God and Son of Mary. Jesus is God made human! God became a weak infant who had to learn how to suckle, how to speak, how to walk, - for US! God loves us and, through and in Jesus, wants us to see Him, to hear His Voice, to experience His healing hands. Knowing Jesus, we know beyond a doubt how much God loves us because God died for us and rose for us in God's Son Jesus. How can we NOT trust Someone Who has "bent over backwards" to demonstrate, to prove, His Love for us? AND JESUS HAS NEVER LEFT US; HE IS ALWAYS WITH US!
Pope Francis says that this Christmas joy "is a special joy not just for Christmas day, but for the entire life of a Christian." This joy, this peace, born of trust in God, stays alive and growing in our hearts even during those times when our life is a difficult desert of pain and anxiety. This joy, this peace, born of trust in God, keeps us balanced and afloat when we are deluged by frenetic and unhealthy Consumerism which promises us happiness if we only just buy and buy and buy!
The idols the Jewish prophets warned against were the idols like the Golden Calf or Moloch that were made by human hands. Today our idols, still made by human hands, are whatever we think we "need" to make us happy: faster and fancier cars, the latest Smart Phones, or computers, the newest popular toy that a child "has" to own. They're idols if we "need" them to keep up with our neighbors, to act as addictions to numb the pain of all the tragedies going on in our lives and in our world. What could be sadder than millions of people celebrating Christmas, the Birth of our greatest Present, Jesus, by watching YouTube videos of kids unwrapping Christmas presents?! Idols made by human hands give us surface happiness. They can't give us the abiding peace and joy that come from trust in our love relationship with Jesus.
Pope Francis says, "Therefore, to have this joy in preparation for Christmas, first, pray: 'Lord, let me live this Christmas with true joy,' not with the joy of consumerism that leads me to December 24th with anxiety, because 'I'm missing this, I'm missing that.'" What is more important to us, receiving a fancy, expensive present from someone we love, or the ongoing gift of that loved one's presence in our lives? And - don't we trust that our loved ones love us much more than any gifts we could give them? Isn't the Presence of Jesus in our lives our Best Present?
"Second," says Pope Francis, "give thanks to God: 'Thank you, Lord, for so many beautiful things!" There are so many beautiful things in our lives right now - the luster of snow on fir trees; the faces of children; the sounds of caroling; city blocks wreathed in hundreds of unique light displays; an impulsive hug from a neighbor who's shoveled our driveway. Joy and Gratitude are sisters that enter our lives arm and arm - we can't have one without the other.
"Third," says the Pope, "think of how you can go out to others in difficulty and with problems to bring a little peace and joy." Here are some suggestions:
When you feel down, anxious, or depressed, remember: Jesus has loved you enough to live and to die for you - and he is always with you. Have hope - trust in Him, and you will become radiant with a joy that lasts all year round.