Let me wish all of you, once again, a very blessed Christmas! We gather this evening to celebrate the most blessed event of all time: the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We hear, once again in today’s Gospel, the story of his birth. It is the story of Joseph and Mary putting their trust in God and cooperating in his plan of salvation for all of us.
So, let me ask you, have you finished wrapping all your gifts – or maybe you’re putting them in gift bags? Have you ever wondered why we wrap our gifts? Why don’t we just hand them out, unwrapped? It would be so much easier and neater, wouldn’t it!?! But, most of us spend time to select just the right wrapping paper or gift bag for the presents we give each other. I don’t know about you, but I get a lot of pleasure out of doing that and even more joy as I watch the recipient unwrap the gift, wondering what’s inside; I love it when it’s a surprise!
I’m really not sure of the origin of gift wrapping but it really helps us to understand the story of Christmas. We all know that we give presents at Christmas in imitation of the great present God gave us at that first Christmas – his Son, our Savior. And, it was certainly a surprise to everyone! After all, his people had longingly waited for a mighty savior, much like King David. We hear him mentioned in both our second reading and the gospel this evening. King David had made of them a great nation and protected them from their earthly enemies. We hear that proclaimed so clearly in this evening’s first reading which foretells of a time when all kings would see their glory and they would be “a glorious crown in the hand of the Lord.” God’s chosen people were probably looking for someone with a pedigree like Moses, who had grown up in the Pharaoh’s household. They certainly weren’t ready for this scene that we see here before us. We all know and accept the story today, but can you imagine what a surprise it was for the people of our Lord’s day? Joseph and Mary were from the obscure town of Nazareth, not a great palace. Joseph was of the house of David, but so were so many others. He was just a poor carpenter, and Mary’s family was even poorer. Her family lived in a cave; that’s where the very poor lived in those days. Just like us, when we carefully select the right gift wrap or gift bag, God very carefully selected the time and place to offer us his most precious gift: when all the world was distracted by a Roman census and in this obscure town of Bethlehem – in fact, in a stable in that little town. And, who came to greet this newborn king? Not the local officials or synagogue leaders but shepherds, lowliest of society, who came in from the field at the invitation of the angels, and wise men who followed a star from the distant east. Yes, it certainly was a surprising gift!
Those who were able to receive the surprise were the ones who were open to listening to God and humble enough to accept God’s will in their lives – Mary and Joseph. They were, at first – and understandably – hesitant. After all, they had plans for their lives and God’s plan was certainly a surprise. But, with true humility, they both submitted to God’s will for them and, in doing so, they helped to bring God’s greatest gift of himself into the world.
Christmas is a time for us to reflect on this great gift – this wondrous surprise which still is among us today, now in the form of bread and wine that will soon become our Lord’s life-giving Body and Blood. Are we open to listening to God and humble enough to accept God’s will in our lives? After all, Jesus came among us to lead us back to his heavenly Father. And, he has called each of us – we who believe in him – to continue to lead one another back to God. But, we can do that only if we are ready for surprises and willing to put our plans aside, like Joseph and Mary were. As we celebrate this great feast, that is my prayer for all of us. Merry Christmas!