Christmas 2015

We find this Christmas of 2015 starting us off into the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Much is written and told of the "Spirit of Christmas", and in all of this you will discover that the character of mercy stands out. At the assigned moment in time, Jesus comes into the world, sent to us from Mercy, for mercy. ".... I have come to call sinners ...." 

In the more serious Christmas stories, the broken things in people's relationships are healed by mercy - Loving mercy, enters the ciaos of hurting, mending the broken and restoring bonds of friendship and love. Characters like Ebenezer Scrooge and George Bailey find their broken view of the meaning of life healed by the compassionate and loving mercy they receive from others. 

The first Christmas gift is Jesus himself, a gift given to us by the Father - sent to gather us to himself and lead us home, through the doors of mercy, into the Father's house. Yet, there is an irony surrounding mercy, namely the mixed reception it receives. The gospels tell us that at first people are drawn to Jesus; “…all spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips.” Lk. 4:22  

But quickly things change when Jesus speaks of mercy and the forgiveness of sins. When a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus for healing, Jesus gives him something greater, mercy and the forgiveness of his sins.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Lk. 5:17

Quickly things changed and the Scribes and Pharisees began a persecution against Jesus. It is interesting how easily we may ask for mercy for ourselves, but how hard it is to show mercy to others, especially to those who are against us.

Perhaps we may not have made the connection between the True Spirit of Christmas and Mercy, yet there it is. People speak of keeping the spirit of Christmas alive throughout the whole year. Perhaps by our efforts to participate in this Year of Mercy, we will.

May I suggest, as a preparation for your participation in the Christmas Liturgies,

the following meditations:

• Voices of Christmas Liturgies I - At Mass During the Night

• Voices of Christmas Liturgies II - At the Mass of Dawn

• Voices of Christmas Liturgies III - At the Mass of Christmas Day