Christmas Meditation 2013 for the North Star News

Part of the charm of the story of Bethlehem is the humility of the holy family: alone, poor, and buffeted by the powerful of this world.  In spite of it all, they experienced the joy and hope of new life in the birth of Jesus on a cold December night.  The eyes of the world were on the rich and powerful people of that day as they usually are.  The attention of God was on a humble stable behind an out-of-the-way inn in the little town of Bethlehem.

            It is no accident that two of the most popular symbols used today to celebrate this story come from those who understood the mind of God in focusing on the humble to accomplish his purposes.  St. Francis is credited with beginning the custom of displaying a crèche, or nativity scene, at Christmas back in 1226.  Francis was set to inherit great wealth when he gave it all up to call the church to focus once more on the needs of the poor when far too many people were concerned about enriching themselves.  Martin Luther is credited in popular legend with introducing the Christmas tree to the world in the 1530s.  He, too, was a reformer whose agenda was to lift up the dignity and ministry of the common man when the gulf between the upper classes and the common people was very great.  In today’s world Pope Francis has made it a centerpiece of his pontificate to call the church to focus on the needs of the poor and vulnerable and to call the world to economic justice.  As he leads the world in the celebration of the birthday of Jesus for the first time this month his words need to be heard and heeded.

            When the babe of Bethlehem grew up he said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust consume and thieves break in and steal.  But rather store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not consume and thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be.”  (Matthew 6:19-21) And when a rich young ruler came to him with the question, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” he ended their discussion by telling him to “sell all you have and distribute it to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”  (Luke 18:22)

            In a world where top level athletes and artists are paid obscene amounts of money to entertain people and where top executives earn more in one day than most of their employees do in a year, it is time to remember where God is focusing his work.  He is still found in backwater towns like Bethlehem, among poor, even homeless, people like Mary and Joseph, bringing the message of peace and goodwill and calling people to remember that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”  (Acts 20:35)  And he most certainly is calling his people to turn from the commercialization of Christmas to its humble beginnings.  After all, in the end Jesus will say, “as you did to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”  (Matthew 25:40)  So when you admire a Christmas tree, or gaze at a crèche, or hear the news reports from Rome on December 25, remember where this holiday began and see what you can do to live in the spirit of the humble Christ of Christmas.  And maybe even follow the example of St.  Francis and Pope Francis in seeking some way to focus on the needs of the poor.