There are two very powerful prophetical moments presented to us in our readings today.
First is Ahaz. His statement, “I will not tempt the Lord!” seems so humble and righteous at first glance. However, if we look through the entire context of the story of Ahaz, we quickly see his statement was not humble at all. In fact, his statement is one of pride as he intended to do what he wanted without regard to the will of God.
In contrast to Ahaz is Joseph. Joseph humbly did what the Lord commanded as opposed to what he wanted to do. Joseph surrendered his life and his will to the will of God.
Both men received messages that the Virgin Mary would give birth to Emmanuel. What each man did with that message is drastically different.
As we continue through these final days of Advent, preparing for the coming of Emmanuel at Christmas, we have to decide if we are going to be an Ahaz or a Joseph.
One of the great opportunities of the Advent season is to reflect on those parts of our lives that Jesus is not currently Lord over.
Oftentimes, these are the parts of our lives that are marked with hurts and pains. Oftentimes, these are the parts of our lives that are marked with remorse and regret. Oftentimes, these are the parts of our lives that are marked with anger, resentment, and perhaps unforgiveness. Oftentimes, these are the parts of our lives that we do not let anyone see.
On top of that, it is easy to get caught up in the busyness and chaos of consumerism and all the other distractions that seem to take over during this time of the year.
As a result, we do not give ourselves the proper time and space that is the ultimate purpose of Advent. We do not give ourselves the proper time and space to prepare ourselves for the ultimate gift of grace that God wants to give to us on Christmas day.
In fact, most of us have likely already had several secular Christmas celebrations. It is no wonder that, for many of us, Christmas day has lost its joy and charisma considering we have already been secularly celebrating Christmas for a month or more.
It becomes easy to focus solely on these celebrations as they can temporarily anesthetize us of the hurts and pains in our lives....the very hurts and pains that the Child Jesus seeks to be born into this Christmas season...the very hurts and pains that can be transformed by the Christmas message.
For those of you who follow my homilies on Facebook, you may recall what I said at the beginning of Advent: Advent is a time for us to join Isaiah as we mystically enter into the Davidic expectancy of the coming Messiah, and in the process, allow ourselves to spiritually reset. Advent is a time to reflect on the fact that the Child Jesus wants to be born anew in each one of us. Advent is a time of preparation for us to make sure we have room in the inn of our hearts when He comes this Christmas.
At the same time, we must realize that all of us have a little bit of Ahaz and a little bit of Joseph in each of us. We must also remember that the Christmas message is like a two-edged sword. On the one side is consolation and liberation. On the other side is challenge and conviction.
Ahaz wanted to embrace just the one side. Joseph surrendered himself to both sides.
That is our invitation today, to make a conscious effort to approach Christmas like Joseph as opposed to Ahaz.
Take time to reflect on those hurts and pains that we continue to carry around and are in need of spiritual reset.
Take time to ask the Child Jesus to be born anew in those situations.
Take time for peace, reflection, and expectant silence during these waning days of the Advent season.
Our own healing can occur when we prepare for, surrender to, and embrace both edges of the Christmas message.
Our own healing can occur when we surrender whatever it is in our heart and instead trust in Divine Providence.
Our own healing can occur when we embrace humility and vulnerability, and allow ourselves to be truly open to Divine Love.
Our own healing can occur when we allow our hearts to be the empty manger on which the Child Jesus will lay His head.
We can also be a source of healing for others. Just as Jesus was physically born into the world through Mary, we can allow the Lord to be spiritually born into the life of another person through us. Consider how we have been a source of hurt and pain to someone else in our lives. Regardless of fault or motive, how can we help bring the Child Jesus into another person's life through those hurts and pains. What amends can we make now to open the stable door for the Christmas message.
In these waning days of Advent, the challenge is to ignore the distractions of the world around us, just enough to focus instead on where the Child Jesus needs to be born anew in your life and the lives of those around you. Whatever aspects of your life you are holding back from the Lord, surrender those aspects of your life to Him now. Offer it up to Him through the Mass. Surrender your entire life and your entire will over to His care.
The true gift this Christmas is Jesus Christ, and He comes to you through, with, and in the Eucharist….if you will let Him.
This Christmas, let the Lord enter; Emmanuel, truly present with us in the Eucharist, is king of glory.
Thanks be to God!
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