Merry Christmas!
There, I said it. And I will say it again.
Merry Christmas!
These days when the world seems to always be in a hurry to go somewhere, get something, be someone … it’s important to remain steadfast in observing the true Christmas season.
Christmas did not “end” on December 25, despite what many may say today, on December 26.
The season is not “over” simply because our merchants conduct popular “after Christmas” sales. We understand that on the contrary, Christmas “began” on December 25 (actually on the Eve of the 24th) and will continue until January 9 when we observe The Baptism of the Lord.
So, we keep our trees decorated and lit. We continue to send traditional Christmas cards. We continue to gather with family and exchange gifts.
In other words … we “walk the walk” of a true Christian who knows the Season is not determined by the merchants eager to move on to the next holiday. Nor is it determined by many of our friends and neighbors eager to box their decorations and toss their trees into the recycling pile. And neither is it determined by the media, Facebook or Twitter.
We must “walk the walk” of liturgy. We are a liturgical people.
Interesting … that phrase “walk the walk.”
If you do some online searching, you will find most people use this expression as a way to say that in order to be authentic, one must actually do what one preaches. The extended version of this phrase goes something like this: “If you talk the talk, you need to walk the walk.”
Today’s first reading is all about this notion … the story of the first martyr, St. Stephen who certainly rose to the occasion.
“When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.
“But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Stephen was evangelizing as he felt was his duty. At our baptism into the Church, that same duty became ours. To evangelize and to spread the joy of the Gospel – the “Good News” – that Christ has come as our Savior.
Stephen’s audience wanted none of that. He preached anyway.
It reminds me of a prayer that many know as a prayer of Mother Teresa. It stands as words of encouragement whenever difficult circumstances cause you to hesitate or have doubts about living up to your Christian calling.
I’ve mentioned this in a previous column, but it certainly bears another mention today.
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered … Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives … Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies … Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you … Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight … Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous … Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten … Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough … Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
Pray that we continue to “walk the walk” … anyway.
And we say again … MERRY CHRISTMAS!
