December 28. 2024
(updated, originally posted on December 28, 2019)
Welcome, God and All...
There's a song for Christmas that was recorded a number of years ago by 1970s pop icon Barry Manilow called "Because It's Christmas." Like most of Manilow's sentimental ballads, the song strikes a figurative chord that somehow still prevails in the Season of Light - it's a time of wonder and awe, especially for children. Our hearts are touched with a spark of that Divine Love the Christ Child brought to Earth, shrouded in the act of gift-giving and stuffed stockings. We see the smiles and hear the laughter, as the song goes, and there is that sense in those few fleeting moments that we are the people God meant us to be.
But all is neither calm nor bright. The news cycle makes us readily aware of that. If only we could see the smiles and hear the laughter. Instead, we are given harsh reminders that all in the world is not yet right.
Today (Saturday) the Church observes the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Holy Mother Church (Catholics often refer to their sacred institution as such) records Deacon St. Stephen, whose feast was observed two days ago, as the first Christian martyr. You can read his story in the book of Acts, chapters six and seven. His story is important, because the mantle of discipleship would pass from Stephen to his adversary Saul, who would soon become Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. But there are others who suffered martyrdom for Jesus while he was living on Earth: John the Baptist (see Mark 6:17-29); and what the Church recalls today, the aftermath of the visit by the three Wise Guys from the East to the stable in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:13-18).
It was an act of cowardice, jealousy, and politics - yes, politics - that Herod the kings in their raging ordered the slaughter of innocent children and later, John. (I use the plural regarding Herod because there is a bit of uncertainty with the timing of the events and that several ‘kings’ of Israel/Judea went by that name. The apples didn’t fall far from the tree, in any case.) And it’s not the first time the Bible records such an act of horror; the Pharaoh of Egypt issues a similar order in Exodus 1:15-22, the scene on which we’re introduced to Moses, who will also escape death from the powers that were (Exodus 2:11-15).
I won’t hide the fact that there are those among us today who have little but contempt for life other than their own. This contempt has sown seeds of confusion through modern-day humanity, scandalizing the institution of marriage and the concept of what love is and does, and what love requires. And yet we dare to put another spin on taking an innocent life, calling it “reproductive rights.” It’s hard to wrap this with any sort of compassion; that, too, is part of the confusion. Maybe that’s why even some of the best ministers and preachers tend to avoid the subject. It is a hot button issue that has, as we see here, not been limited to American history since 1973. It just seems more insidious now than it was in the time of Jesus and Moses, because of the way it’s presented and because the disdain for the dignity of life, especially defenseless life in the womb, has reached the lowest common denominator as well as the high and mighty.
I can’t say any more without using terms I would rather not use because they are so divisive. As I write, I can’t help but wonder if this isn’t at the root of how American politics and society have become so polarized, so at odds with each other. It would demand that we give up our joy, the joy I’ve kept in mind in rereading reflections written years ago. It is enough that I must approach the subject soberly and somberly. Do you think Jesus or the angels weep over this indignant injustice? I know I do. However, I’m reminded of the four pillars of Advent preparation - Peace, Hope, Joy and Love; represented by the four candles of the Advent wreath. The brilliance of the Christmas Star, the arrival of the Daystar, surrounds us with that great light of which Isaiah spoke (Isaiah 9:1). We see, then, that we the faithful are to be bearers of that light and carry it into every dark corner. That the martyrdom of Stephen and the Innocents are placed where they are in the calendar is a reminder to everyone of the lessons every generation must learn and not ignore; while at the same time we can see the smiles and hear the laughter; a foretaste and promise of eternal life secured on a foundation of five pillars with Jesus being the cornerstone.
If we don't want to lose that even fleeting moment of peace and joy, that momentary sense that all can be right in the world if we but allow God an honored place in our lives, we must become as innocent as the little children we love so very much. And we must resist and fight, with every fiber of our being, the denial of the Truth that God is THE Author of all Life; and as that gift of life has been invested in us, we must work actively as Life's stewards...
This time belongs to all the children
For now their joy rings through the air
So let us ask God's tender blessings
On all the children everywhere
To see the smiles and hear the laughter
A time to give, a time to share
Because it's Christmas
For now and Forever
For all of the children
And for the Child within us all
And until we meet again, remember that God is with us...always.
+the Phoenix
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