A Christmas thought or two--







Happy Christmas!



I got wondering whether Christmas is an obligation or a celebration-- or both. According to the Catholic Church, it's a holy day of obligation (must attend mass). But according to the secular world, it is a celebration. But what are we celebrating? 

I suspect that, for much of the Western world, the celebration has become, as Charlie Brown says, "too commercial" (good grief!)-- and yes, we like to give and receive presents. And yes, there is the bumper sticker saying that it's "about presence, not presents." Valid. 

What are we obligated to do, though? I understand that not all of my readers are Catholic, but still, it's a point worth pondering. If the Gift we receive is the birth of the savior, then what are we then obliged to do with it? Because it's not a gift we can keep to ourselves; that is what, unfortunately, some "neo-Christian" sects seem to be doing: they feel they have the corner on Christ, and others need not even try to have any. That, of course, runs counter to every single thing that the Gospels tell us that Jesus said and did. The Beatitudes alone, for some of those neos, are too "woke," and that is unfortunate. 

So again I wonder, what are we obligated to do? It's pretty simple, really, as I understand it. We are obliged to try. To try to be kinder, more compassionate, more empathetic, more observant, more dedicated to taking care of each other. We must try, and keep trying. I'm fond of saying I'm a "practicing Catholic," because I know I have not arrived yet. I am forever practicing. 

So, I think that's about right. We must practice what we hope to achieve. We must walk the walk, talk the talk, and be bold and brave about it. And we will fail. And we will dust ourselves off and do it again. And likely fail forward to success, or at least get a lot closer to it. Love thy neighbor as thyself is really simple, but it's also quite hard. We are often too harsh on ourselves, too. If we don't love ourselves, faults and all, then how can we extend grace to others? 

It's a lot to unwrap. But it's a gift, and we should accept it with all of our hearts. 

Hold onto your loved ones. They need us, and we need them. And the world needs us all. 

C

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