In the customary exchanging of gifts for the Feast of Christmas, we see signs of God's greatest gift in His Son Jesus Christ, Who reveals the Father to us and enlightens the world with true love.
It is such a great celebration on December 25 that it flows forth into successive days as we continue to unpack the great mystery of the Incarnation by which we come to know God.
I certainly had a wonderful time at Mass on the morning of December 25, feeling such a great exuberance especially in the singing of the hymns. I have enjoyed playing hymns on the piano at home, going through the Christmas section in the old Ascension Parish hymnal I have throughout the Christmas Season. And I have continued to marvel at the beauty of the decorations inside Ascension Church each time I attend Mass.
Thinking of Father Larry McNally's custom in his Epiphany Sunday homily, I now use the gifts of the Magi as a guide to reflect on gifts I gave and received, which extended out to days before and after December 25.
Gifts I Gave
Gold: My Mom wanted to get a cherry strudel from an Austrian bakery at the Chicago Christkindlmarket, but had two unsuccessful attempts. I went to Mass at St. Peter's on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and following Mass, I walked one block north to the market. I got in a long time that snaked around the Daley Center and then into the throngs of people. It was my first time there in a while, and I noted that 2021 marked the 25th year of the market.
Frankincense: On the Second Sunday of Advent, I went to attend Mass celebrated by Father Ted Mauch. I got to know him during his final diaconal assignment at St. Teresa's and was present for his priestly ordination. I was eager for the chance to reconnect with him. I'm grateful for the woman on staff at his parish who gave me his schedule so I could offer him the gift of my presence on the weekend of his anniversary of ordination and first Mass.
Myrrh: My Uncle Bernie welcomed a guest into his home early in the morning on Christmas Eve, and we had the opportunity to meet him at our gathering there on Christmas Day. He had quite a journey to the USA from Sierra Leone, and is awaiting asylum. Our family's gathering speaks to the importance of presence as we offered him a welcome through our whole time of gathering.
Gifts I Received
Gold: Later on in the Christmas Season, on New Year's Eve, I had the blessed honor of attending the wedding of my longtime college roommate Zach, and served the role of best man. He offered me and the other two groomsmen, who are also mutual friends, a desk organizer as a gift. Zach also gave me some historical document facsimiles. (And yes, I will publish a post about this incredible experience on my blog.)
Frankincense: One of my RE students gave me a gift from her family, a nice note and an Amazon gift card.
Myrrh: My Dad got me multigrain waffles from Trader Joe's.
Each year, I am reminded of how glorious the Feast of Christmas is, because the unseen God mysteriously and marvelously made Himself visible to us in Christ, Who was born in the flesh, and dwells with us always. Through Him, we can enter more deeply into relationship with God the Father, Who is constantly making His presence known all around us in the world.
So now we abide with Him Who has entered into time, and remains with us throughout 2022 and beyond.
20 + C + M + B + 22
Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, peace, goodwill, to people on whom His favor rests!
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