by Fr. Justin Fulton
Back a few years ago I put up a Christmas tree for the first time in my apartment. I found it to be very life giving. It was a good respite after the Thanksgiving holiday, and I also decorated the fireplace and hung a stocking in my basement apartment.
The tree I put up was one that we had growing up on 16th Street back home in Auburn. Mom puts up a ‘Christmas Village’ and does not have room for a tree.
So, I got the old tree and ornaments and set them up a couple of weeks ago.
It was a nostalgic experience, putting up the tree. Ornaments brought back memories of yester-year. Some of the heirlooms passed down by family were again hung up. My older brothers’ births were commemorated with ornaments. My younger sister had an ornament. Memories from relatives who had passed on to their eternity adorned the tree. Husker and Notre Dame ornaments and relics from the glory years of my beloved Kansas City Royals hung on that tree.
I found myself smiling and being grateful to God for the memories of loved ones and good times. Some struggles and difficulties were remembered as well. A feeling of emptiness crept in as I remembered dear ones who had passed on and I prayed for them. An ornament of Dad and me on a sled brought back memories of when we still had him with us.
But as the last ornament was hung, a deep sense of joy enveloped the basement as I remembered what Christmas was all about as quoted by St. Athanasius: God became man, so that man could become like God. When the world looked for a political revolution, or power with military might or money, God the Father did not send an army or write a check. He sent a Baby. Joy was given to the world on that first Christmas night in Bethlehem, and we have been given such a precious gift that must be shared: the gift of Jesus Christ.
If you feel longing for lives that have been lost, relatives who have passed on, times that have flown by—if you feel that yearning and that desire to live in peace and joy, you are living Advent in a beautiful way. We long for our Savior, Jesus Christ. We long for the day when He wipes away every tear. We long for Eternal Life and Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus is the fulfillment of all of humanity. We prepare for His coming at Christmas and we look forward to the day when He comes to take us to our Heavenly home.
Come back to Mass this Christmas. Invite a neighbor, relative, or stranger to Mass. Share Jesus Christ with the world during this Advent and Christmas Season! We all have longings... and every human heart longs for the love of Jesus Christ!
It is our prayer that many more will get to experience and form memories centered on the love of Christ, family, and new friends during this Christmas season. In essence, it is up to all of us to be living ornaments of Christ’s love to a world that needs it. Let us live greatly as we bring Hope to the Good Life! Thank you for your support and prayers of CSS. May God bless us all!
