Christmas Thoughts

Every year, celebration of Christmas is different.  About three years ago, I attended a 4pm Christmas Vigil Mass at St. Boniface.  The 4pm Christmas Eve Mass is the Mass that the Folk-Group plays at.  Despite the fact that such an ensemble is contrary to the spirit of the liturgy, and all but forbidden by Holy Church, I must admit that this particular group is very good at what they do.  It is no surprise that that particular Mass is standing room only.  It was during that Mass that I broke down and wept during the Consecration: more than half of the people there didn't really grasp 1) what was being celebrated, and 2) what was going on in front of them.  That thought focused my Christmas celebration into the next few days.

Two years ago, I read in the Office of Readings, as well as in His Excellency Martino's Respect Life Sunday Pastoral Letter, about the dignity of the human person, and how, by virtue of the Incarnation, human dignity has been elevated.  It was this thought that guided my Christmas preparations.

Last year, as DRF of Neumann, I was able to get into it a little more, and a little differently.  Our textbook for the 10th Graders discussed bias in the Bible: the Bible was certainly biased: it tells Salvation History from God's perspective, and thus all of History is focused around the person of Jesus Christ.  This was made even more poignant as I read a beautiful reflection written by one of my students (after Christmas, but during the Christmas season).  Christmas was essentially the celebration of the whole crux of history.  While the Paschal Triduum celebrates the salvific act that enables us to be with GOD, it is Christmas that celebrates the coming of GOD to earth in the Incarnation (which makes the Paschal Sacrifice possible).

This year, I am finding it incredibly hard.  2010 has been rife with struggles.  From losing my job for no reason, not being able to get a job for over six months, and finally getting a job which has all but wrecked the family, it is tough to think about "the reason for the season".  In the oilfield, there is no season.  There is no time for family, no time for friends, no time for faith.  There is work, work, work and sleep.  Perhaps God will shine some light on us in 2011.  We certainly need it.