The birth of a child is one of the most memorable experiences a parent will have in their life, but that memory is not limited to just the amount of time it took to push the child out. Especially for the mother, the memory of birthing a child extends back nearly nine months with all the highs, lows, appointments, and adventures of pregnancy. To this day, my wife helps me date events based on what child she was pregnant with at the time. Thus, the birth of a child is not only remembered with the joy of holding them for the first time, but also the anticipation and the struggles it took to get there. It is the events that led up to the birth that make that first moment with the child that much more sweeter and joyful. Enduring and waiting increase our longing and love for the child so that when the day comes, we are filled with contented peace (provided everything goes the way it should). This is what the Advent season is meant to be. It is a preparation and longing for the coming of our Lord. And now that we are here, we should be filled with the contented peace that only comes from the God who loves us so much that He desires to be with us.
But anyone who has had a child also knows that the birth is not the end. In fact by its nature, it is the beginning. There is a period of peace when you greet your baby as they enter the world outside the womb, but then as parents we have to keep them alive. Food, warmth, touch, sleep, and clean diapers are essential for the baby’s survival, and as it grows, its needs become more complex. All of this comes at the sacrificial expense of the parents. Sleep, free time, and money are all given up for the good health and well being of the child. And while there will be moments of struggle, annoyance, and even despair when things are out of our control and going awry, the underlying peace and contentment that was present at the birth of the child is present yet again when we know we have given our kids what they need to survive and flourish.
Today is the day after Christmas, an awkward day for many Catholics who know they are supposed to continue the celebration of the birth of Jesus for twelve more days and to continue to receive His peace and joy. But much of the culture is tearing down Christmas decorations, and Valentines Day red is starting to fill store shelves. For Christians, we must keep in mind that this is not the end, it is the beginning. It is the beginning of the salvation that God promised us. It is the beginning of God with us. It is the beginning of new life for the human race. We must recognize this, and we must continue to celebrate. If we do not, we devalue the greatest gift we have ever been given.
But we must also remember that the celebration of life does not consist of solely feasting, especially with a newborn. Sure, we can eat, drink, and be merry for this incredible gift, but as is the case with caring for a new born, the celebration of Christmas also calls to mind that if God is with us, sacrifices will need to be made. Our plans, time, and money are all to come secondary and at the service of the growth and development of God in our hearts. The celebration of God with us is meant to overflow from the peace and joy to manifest itself in the love of neighbor which necessarily demands something from us. If God is here to stay, we must nurture the environment for Him at whatever the cost.
Thus, as we enter into the true Christmas season (unlike the Christmas season the culture just gave us that gives little attention to an Advent preparation), let us not forget to continue the celebration. God has come as He promised! But let us also remember that the celebration of life is not a 12 day party. The Church even recognizes this by placing the feast of the Holy Innocents within the Christmas season to remind us of the resistance to Christ coming into the world. Sacrifices will need to be made, trials will need to be endured, but the peace and joy that comes with the Birth of Jesus into our lives cannot be quenched, for nothing can separate us from His love. So let us all receive Jesus, be thankful, and share that love with our neighbor this Christmas season – for it is in this that we find true peace and joy.
