Introduction:

So many things in our life of faith have to “grow up.”

You no longer pray like a little child.

You no longer believe like a little child.

You no longer sin like a little child.

Our understanding of Jesus at Christmas must also grow and change.

Christmas is primarily NOT about a little baby born in a manger many years ago.

Christmas IS about Jesus who loved us enough to give us the very best gift ever – himself.

Christmas is about the challenges Jesus gives to us – to extend the message of his powerful love, and to prepare our hearts and our lives for his return.

Let us pray for this grace as we begin this Eucharist.

Penitential Rite:

You came among us as a human to call us to yourself.

Lord, have mercy.

You came among us as Emmanuel to share your life.

Christ, have mercy.

You came among us as Savior because you love us.

Lord, have mercy.

Homily:

I know we are all very hyped about vacation, the festive Christmas season, and all the joy and activity they bring to us.  That goes for faculty and staff – as well as students.

But, in imagination, I’d like to zoom forward to January 4, to the day we will all return to these halls and classrooms – AFTER vacation.  Two students – good friends – meet one another at their lockers before hurrying to their first period.  They haven’t seen one another for the past two weeks of vacation.  So this moment is their reunion.  One says to the other; “Sup.”  The reply: “Nothin’.”  “How was it?  Wha ja get?”  ”Stuff.”  “Much?”  “Ya, lots.”  “Yeah.  Me too.”  I hope there is more to our holiday than just “stuff.”

There are two simple messages I’d like to leave with you today.  You can think of them as MY Christmas gifts to YOU.  The first message is this: It’s not about stuff.  It’s not about what you GET.  It’s about God, and how you GIVE your life to God.

There was a little boy sitting on Santa’s knee, offering his wish list to the kind old bearded man.  “I want 2 trucks, 2 teddy bears, and 2 Game Boys.”  Santa had to ask: “Why do you want 2 of everything?”  The boy answered: “Because I want to share.”  This may, at first, sound sweet and even touching.”  But, if we think for a moment, something else- something selfish-is really going on.  The little boy really DOESN’T want to SHARE.  He wants to have his OWN stuff securely in hand BEFORE he gives anything away.  You might say, “That’s just a little kid’s selfishness.”  My point is that WE must be watchful for signs of that same selfishness within ourSELVES – us BIG kids.  It’s not about your stuff, but about how you give yourself to God.

Our first reading today comes from the prophet Isaiah.  “How beautiful is the sound of the feet of those who bring GOOD NEWS.”  Are YOU a source of good news in your family?  Can you be more positive, communicative, helpful?  If you would change to become more like this, your family would experience YOU as good news.  This is the gift that REALLY keeps on giving.  Yes, Christmas IS about giving.  I offer you this challenge as GROWN-UP believers.  So what’re you prepared to give of yourSELF to God?  Make a decision, and ACT on it.

My second message is: It’s not about you.  It’s really about your family and our larger world.  When I was a little boy, maybe about 10, I remember snooping around our house looking for Christmas presents my parents had bought, but not yet wrapped.  I was looking for MY presents.  I guess I was a pretty good snoop, because I found my presents, and I checked them all out.  Suddenly, I felt really crappy inside.  I knew that Christmas wouldn’t be a surprise.  I knew that Christmas wouldn’t be much fun.  I knew that this Christmas WOULDN’T be about ME!  Sure enough, on Christmas morning, I had to PRETEND that I was excited and surprised.  I thought that Christmas SHOULD be all about ME.  But, that year, it wasn’t.

Like most painful lessons of growing up, I learned a lot that year.  And over the years since then, I’ve tried to look and live “larger” at Christmas time.  I ask myself how I can become more knowledgeable about building justice and peace in this world?  And how can I DO something concrete to advance the progress of God’s kingdom?  Here is a very specific challenge for you.  It’s something I KNOW you can DO.  Tomorrow is the monthly Food Distribution at Saint Aloysius Parish, East 110th and St. Clair.  8:00 am to 11:00 am.  Why not come and join us?  And bring two friends.  I know it’s Saturday – a great day to sleep in, and the first day of our vacation.  That’s what makes this a great challenge and a wonderful gift of yourself.

How about another challenge?  After Christmas, consider giving away clothing that is replaced by the new things you receive.  And if you want a REAL challenge, give away something NEW that you receive – not just the hand-me-downs you no longer want.  Like me, you have more “stuff” than you need.  Can you give some away to people who have less?  In a sense, it really doesn’t matter WHAT you do.  But, I believe it IS VERY important to do something to remind yourself that it’s not about YOU.  Why would we want to do this hard stuff, anyway?

Remember our gospel from today?  The life of Jesus was the light of the human race.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  The true light, Jesus, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.  Yes, Jesus was IN the world, and the world came to BE through him.  But the world did not KNOW him.  He came to what was his own, but his own people did not ACCEPT him.  But to those who DID accept him he gave POWER to become children of God.  There is the invitation and the promise of Jesus.  We’re offered the POWER to live as God’s children.  So, my friends, these are my Christmas gifts to you.  And here are my suggestions to you for a grown-up Christmas, for grown-up believers.  It’s not about the stuff you GET.  It’s about the SELF that you can GIVE to loved ones who are near, and to unknown brothers and sisters of our world.  It’s not about YOU.  It’s about using your resources, our time, energy and skills to build God’s kingdom.  I believe our world was forever changed for the better because Jesus took on our human form and lived among us.  Will this world be a better place because YOU have walked through it?  I hope so.  Merry Christmas!