Hodie Christus natus est

Dearly Beloved in Christ!

Indeed the words above, no matter in what language, speak volumes to our hearts.  Throughout this year many things, both good and not so good, have happened to us all.  People have passed from this world and been called home, wars have continued and been ended, and economies in many countries sank to a low point.  However, on the other side of the coin, babies were born, people pulled together to help one another out, and people began to regain a sense of hope and solace.  In our church we have a new seminarian Chuck Dunning and a new Abbot Charles Reynolds. I welcomed two people on San Quentin’s death row into the church after years of their contemplating their misdeeds and a true reconciliation, confession and absolution.  And you all in our clergy have in turn been wonderful and have bravely taken upon yourself God’s work and have done good things for God’s children.

I believe that if we look inside ourselves, will see both growth and development.  But, most of all, we will each see the “child within”.  No matter how young or old you are, that child exists and reminds us of what Christmas is all about.  For, unto us, this day a child was and is born.  Unto you and me may our inner child be born!

If we look at the historical events of the birth of Jesus, we know that Joseph was much older than Mary.  What did Joseph bring to the Christ-event?  As a foster father of age, he brought wisdom and the love only a father can give to his son.  I believe that as Jesus grew from an infant to adult, Joseph taught him many lessons of life.  He taught Jesus a trade, how to love one’s neighbor, how to respect everyone regardless of their status in life, how to act in a gathering and when with people, regardless of their sex or sexual orientation or status, and most importantly, how to pray.  For Joseph, the birth of Jesus must have been mysterious, tremendous and fascinating!   If Joseph had any understanding of who Jesus truly was, it must have also been quite frightening.  Could you imagine what it would be like to be the foster father of God?  Could you imagine the questions Joseph must have had? “Hum! I wonder if I should correct him.”  What do I do if he needs a spanking?”  Or, maybe Joseph didn’t know.  When it was time for correction, it was done, possibly, in a way that showed people the correct way to discipline a child.  Wisdom, this was the spirit of Joseph.

What about Mary?  What did she bring to the relationship? Sure, we understand that she was younger than Joseph and a good mom and the mother of God.  But, what do you suppose, on a human level she brought to the relationship?  I believe she taught Jesus those things only a mother can teach, stability in a relationship, the feminine side of masculinity, the gentleness and caring of a mom when Jesus whacked his finger with a hammer, or cut himself with a sharp tool, or fell down and scraped his knee when he was playing with the other children in the town and so many other things, including all those things she pondered in her heart the way only a mother can.   She must have taught Jesus how to deal with death, especially after Joseph died.  For those of us who have been there, it isn’t easy to lose a Dad.

We mustn’t lose sight of the human side of the Divinity.  It’s what made Jesus the savior of the world.  If Jesus was not a child, adolescent or adult, or, not even born, what would humanity look like today?  If you think we’re lost and sometimes Godless “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”  I don’t even want to think what humanity would look like if that hadn’t happened, if we would even have still existed at all.

What keeps us going is the belief – not hope, but the belief – that God is with us.  For, on the day of Christ’s birth, even if December 25^th is only the day on which we commemorate the Divine Birth, we as people were shown what it is to be truly human and were called to understand that we, like Jesus, must be selfless, constantly learning, forever giving, and being fulfilled until we are called home to Our Father who art in heaven.  Yes, the angels and archangels did indeed rejoice at the birth of Jesus, but they also rejoiced at your birth and mine.  Like Jesus, you and I are called on Christmas day to be born in the Spirit and in the truth that Christ is with us.  He is truly with us. And, we are with Christ and Christ in truly in us.

For unto us this day a child is born in Bethlehem, and in Europe and in North and South America and in the farthest reaches of the universe.  Seek Him. Pray to Him. You need not go far.  Go within.  He is there waiting to be born.

May Jesu find a place in your heart, and may God give you His peace.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Sincerely yours in Christ!

+Tony