Christmas: God Taking On Our Nature

Levity and Devotion

How are your Christmas preparations going?

This is the curated version of my preparations.

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Here is what you don’t see.

Does anyone feel better?

This weekend will be quite an organizational feat for Catholics. We are required to attend the 4th Sunday of Advent Mass, and Christmas Mass. Yes, that means Sunday and Monday. Then there are the people coming from out of town with their differing schedules and priorities to insert into the schedule of special meals, Masses, and presents under the tree. Fortunately, we have multiple Mass times from which to choose.

Non-Catholics may also have scheduling issues, family issues, etc. but they are not compounded by getting people who wish to go to Mass to choose a Mass that also meets everyone else’s needs. As the senior woman in the family, I wish I had one of those boards you see in old WWII movies where they have a tabletop map with symbols for different groups on the board, and someone with a long stick pushes troops and tanks to different locations to better see how the battle should be arranged. However, pushing people around with sticks probably won’t work well. C’est la vie.

It would be like a scene from Monty Python. Can’t you see it? “But I don’t want to go then! [poke with a stick] Ow! Cut that out! [another poke by a different stick]. What are you doing? Cut it out or I will do something you’ll regret and I will have to go to confession for it! [Nearby, a tremulous female voice says. “Henry!!”] I know, Mom! Grab the stick and hit him with it!.”

We have decided to eliminate presents this year, so we can enjoy each other’s company without the consumer head rush of shopping, wrapping, and watching to see if they like it, or trying to think of something to say when someone gives you a sweatshirt that is either three sizes too large or too small, with elves and reindeer and a fat mysterious someone drinking beer. Not really. There is no beer. We like hot spiced cider and eggnog, or mimosas in the morning.

Those of you who celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or any other celebration during this special season that involves presents and family have similar challenges, I imagine, especially if it means picking up family from the airport during rush hour. I think our airport just won an award for maximal congestion.

All my joking aside, this is a wonderful season, with houses decorated with candles or lights, wonderful seasonal music, special prayers, good food, and other cultural traditions. Hanukkah lasts nine days and includes special prayers and songs, lighting candles, playing dreidel games, special foods, and giving Hanukkah gelt. The celebration commemorates a particular time in Jewish history. Kwanzaa goes for one week and celebrates African culture, with special foods, house decorations, clothing, and ceremonies. Christmas is also based on historical events and lasts until the Sunday after the three Kings arrive for Catholics. That’s more than twelve days. For Orthodox Christians, the Feast of the Nativity is on January 7th because they follow the Julian calendar.

For Catholics, there is a special Mass at midnight on Christmas Eve, with carols we sing only in this season. There is also a special chant, a Proclamation that occurs only once a year. It proclaims the events of salvation history leading up to the birth of Jesus. I was stunned the first time I heard it. I invite you to listen.

Happy Holidays to all!

Now I have to go bake a cake that my daughter has requested for the baby Jesus.

Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming