Over 2,000 years ago in the little town of Bethlehem, a momentous event took place. The all powerful, omnipotent God bowed down to His own creation and became one with humanity in the person of a helpless child.
It was a rather private birth with only Mary, His mother, her husband Joseph, and a few animals, because no one would open their doors to a pregnant woman obviously ready to give birth. Thus, the most amazing event in human history took place in a stable.
Angels proclaimed the blessed event and a few shepherds showed up, perhaps as a response to faith, perhaps out of curiosity. Eventually, there appeared the Magi, from a far off country, who were actually searching for Him, and they offered homage.
“He came to what was His own, but His own people did not accept Him” (Jn 1:11).
Where do we find ourselves this Christmas? Are we among those who travel the road to Bethlehem to seek Him? And when we have found Him, do we offer Him the gift of ourselves, totally and completely? Do we see in this little child of Bethlehem the meaning of our existence, the total and complete gift of God Himself, to us?
As with the Magi from the East, the road we travel to seek Him may be filled with many obstacles. It is not always easy to continue the journey, to grasp tightly to the gifts we bring, until we actually find Him.
There are the simple, difficult roadblocks we may all face, but sometimes, as happened to the Magi, others try to manipulate us into cooperating with evil. If we steadfastly “follow the star” and overcome the temptations, we will find Him.
The “star” leads us to find Him in the love of our families and friends; in the sick and lonely; in the homeless and hungry; in both rich and poor; in the documented and undocumented, and even in those that society may label as outcasts.
How can we share our gifts for the Christ child with all of these, for it is in them that we find The Christ.
“Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you to do me” (Mt 25:40).
“And to those who did accept Him, He gave power to become children of God” (Jn 1:12).
May the joy of the birth of Jesus constantly help us to discover the meaning of our daily lives, and may He be the source of a blessed Christmas to all.
In the Lord’s Peace,
+Robert E. Guglielmone
Bishop of Charleston