First of all, on behalf of the priests, deacons, and parish staff of Incarnate Word, let me wish each of you a very blessed and merry Christmas. It seems that every year the need grows for the hope and joy which come from celebrating our Savior’s birth. I pray these holy days renew your hearts and your homes in a deeper way as we celebrate the fulfillment of God’s promise to save humanity from sin and death.
There is a well-worn saying about weather here in the Midwest I'm sure you’ve heard many times before. It goes something like if you don't like the weather, just wait a minute. This year, the weather continues it's unpredictable nature with near record highs today and tomorrow. Then on Monday, we'll be dealing with temperatures in the teens! This unpredictable weather reminds me of a story about a weather forecaster in soviet Russia who was named Rudolf. He was famous because unlike most weatherman, this little Communist was nearly always right about his predictions and had a perfect record of forecasting when it was going to rain. One morning, with clear skies for all to see, Rudolf warned on the early news that a violent storm was coming and the town should prepare. All through the day, people told him he had finally lost his touch and he was going to look like a fool when his forecast was proven wrong. Even when he got home, his wife told him to accept defeat and the end of a remarkable run of predictions. There were still no clouds, it had been the most beautiful day ever, and no sign of rain on the radar. Still, Rudolf insisted; it would rain.
Sure enough, a massive storm flooded the Communist town overnight. The next morning, Rudolf looked out the window and said, “See? I told you it was going to rain.” His wife sighed, “You were right again. But how are you always so accurate?”
Rudolf smiled and said, “Because…Rudolf-the-Red…knows rain…., dear.”
Nothing like a good dad joke to put everyone in the Christmas spirit!!!
Speaking of dads, I had a fatherly moment a few weeks ago at one of our Sunday Masses. During the readings, I couldn’t help but notice how many people were coughing and sneezing, clearly fighting colds. It reminded me of growing up in a small house with all my siblings. Back then, I was pretty unsympathetic when one of them got sick. I didn’t want to catch what they had and honestly, I just found them kind of repulsive. I wanted them to stay away until they were healthy again like some sort of leper.
What always amazed me was how quickly and completely my parents stepped in. No hesitation. Even when things were messy or gross, they drew closer; cleaning us up, sitting with us, comforting us, making sure we were okay. The worse off the child was, the closer they seemed to get and the more gentle the treatment.
A few weeks ago, listening to all those coughs in church, I didn’t feel disgust or fear of getting sick. I felt compassion and concern…and a deep hope that people would feel better soon. Which just goes to show that, if nothing else, even I am growing a little as a spiritual father.
That beautiful image, a parent rushing in to care for a suffering child, is a powerful way to understand Christmas. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, humanity has been deeply wounded by sin and death. Despite God’s original design of glory and happiness for us, we rejected him and became sick beyond measure. Yet our heavenly Father never turned away. He was not discouraged, disgusted, or distant. Like a good parent, he leaned in even closer.
In the fullness of time, God sent his perfect and beloved Son, Jesus, to heal us and restore us to the glory he intended all along. In the most gentle and non-threatening way possible, the all-powerful King of heaven and earth became a tiny baby and lived among us, healing our human condition from the inside out. God entered fully into the mess of human life with a promise of everlasting healing. That is what we celebrate at Christmas: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.
To know that we are loved that completely should fill us with hope and peace, no matter what our circumstances might be. There is no mistake that scares God away. No sin he cannot forgive if we are sorry. No mess he is unwilling to clean up if we call out to him. He is a good Father who loves each and every one of us without hesitation or limit.
And God’s closeness to us did not end on Christmas Day. Before returning to the Father, Jesus promised to remain with us always. In every Catholic church, he waits quietly in the tabernacle, present and ready to comfort us. Through the sacrament of Confession, he stands ready to forgive and heal. And at every celebration of the Eucharist, he comes even closer, offering himself as our food. It’s hard to imagine how God could possibly draw nearer to us than that; if he feels far away; its likely us who are keeping him at arm’s length.
My prayer for you this Christmas is that you experience renewed hope, no matter what darkness you may be facing. May the Father’s love overshadow you and help you realize he is closer than you think, and that he has been with you all along. May we live with confidence that we are cared for and being restored to spiritual health by a God who sees the goodness, beauty, and promise of what we can become through his grace and the gift of the sacraments.
I hope you have a truly blessed Christmas, and that you see clearly God’s love and care for you.
Amen.
