Reflection for December 25, 2024

The Nativity of the Lord (C)
Mass during the Day

Isaiah 52:7-10 | Hebrews 1:1-6 | Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 | John 1:1-18

And just like that, it’s Christmas! There’s something truly magical about the excitement of getting gifts during the holidays. The moment you spot a present with your name on it, your heart skips a beat, and you can feel the excitement building up. You can’t wait to rip off the wrapping, wondering what little surprise might be hiding inside. Oh, and by the way, sorry for sharing this Christmas reflection so late. My study and ministry computer crashed, so Jill had to type this up on my phone. So, if you’ve got an old desktop or laptop lying around gathering dust, consider putting it under my tree so we can all keep doing the work of the Lord. Anyway, our readings today from Isaiah, Hebrews, and John all point to gifts, the giver, and how we react when we receive something special.

When our daughter Jill was three, she didn’t quite get the concept of gifts. My wife and I would spend hours hunting for what we thought was the perfect present, only for her to tear it open and then play with the box. It drove us nuts! So one Christmas, we were determined to find the gift—the one that would finally outshine any cardboard box. We shopped like our lives depended on it and finally found the ultimate twist car. Come Christmas morning, we were more excited about her unwrapping the gift than she probably was. She tore into it like a pro, pulled out the car, and—victory!—started playing with it right away. I felt like I’d won a gold medal in parenting. Triumphant, I went to grab a drink, basking in the glow of success. But when I came back, there she was...sitting in the box. I couldn’t believe it.

God gave us His greatest gift—Jesus, the embodiment of His love. Isaiah 52:7-10 celebrates the beauty of those who bring the good news of peace, salvation, and God’s reign. This news is a gift of grace, freely given to bring joy and transformation. Like a carefully chosen present reflects the love of the giver, this gift reveals God’s deep love for humanity. But here’s the challenge: are we truly focusing on this gift, or are we distracted by the trappings of Christmas? Many Christians get caught up in the busyness of the season—shopping, decorating, and hosting—forgetting to give Jesus their full attention. It’s like admiring the wrapping paper and ignoring the gift inside. This gift, the grace of Jesus Christ, is unmatched. It’s beyond anything we could earn, deserve, or even fully describe. It meets every human need and outshines all other gifts. To truly receive it, we need to pause, reflect, and pray, letting gratitude and joy fill our hearts. Christmas invites us to set aside distractions and focus on what truly matters—embracing the gift of God’s love made flesh in Jesus. 

At the office Christmas party, everyone was excitedly exchanging Secret Santa gifts. Karen had a reputation for giving thoughtful, over-the-top presents—a few years ago, she hand-knit the boss a scarf in his favorite colors. This time around, she drew Bob, the coffee-loving accountant. When Bob opened his gift, he found a fancy-looking box filled with instant coffee sachets. The room went silent until Karen quickly said, "It’s not just any coffee! It’s travel-friendly—perfect for someone as busy as you!" Bob stared at the sachets, then at Karen, and started laughing. A few weeks later, Karen found a package on her desk: a coffee mug with "World's Most Thoughtful Gifter" written on it. Inside? One sachet of the same instant coffee she’d given Bob. Along with it was a note: "Sharing the love, one cup at a time." That silly exchange turned into a friendship, and years later, something more. Today, Karen and Bob are happily married with three kids. Looking back, it wasn’t the coffee that mattered—it was the connection, humor, and thoughtfulness behind the givers that sparked something special.

Jesus, the gift, reflects God, the giver. In our second reading from Hebrews (1:1-6), we learn that while God once spoke through prophets, He now speaks fully through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is described as the radiance of God’s glory and the exact image of His being, making Him the ultimate way God shows His love and plan for us. In Jesus, God offers the most perfect and personal gift—His very self. At Christmas, what really matters isn’t the gifts we receive, but the giver behind them. While presents are a way to show love, it’s the heart of the giver that makes them special. It’s the giver’s intentions, thoughtfulness, and love that truly matter. Each gift this Christmas is an invitation from the giver to form a deeper connection. So, instead of focusing on the material gifts we might receive, let’s shift our focus to the giver—the one offering love, grace, and kindness.

An American Express survey on Christmas gifts revealed that fruitcake was voted the worst holiday gift, with 31% of people saying it was more undesirable than getting nothing at all! Many of these fruitcakes end up being regifted, leading to a whole set of "regifting rules," like not doing it within the family and making sure it’s wrapped nicely. The bottom line is, sometimes we get gifts we don’t really want, so we either ignore them or pass them on to someone else.

We receive God’s gift of Jesus with gratitude, and the Prologue of the Gospel of John (1:1-18) reminds us that Jesus, the Word, is the source of all light and life. He was with God from the very beginning and is God Himself, sent to bring light to the world. During Christmas, we’re given many gifts, and let’s be real, there are at least two ways we can react. First, you can accept the gift. Imagine getting exactly what you wanted—a shiny new gadget or the cozy sweater you’ve been eyeing. You rip open the wrapping, your eyes light up, and your face shows pure joy. You might even do a little happy dance. You embrace the gift, genuinely thankful, and you make sure the giver knows how much it means to you. Receiving Jesus’ gift of light is like getting the perfect gift that brightens your life. We open our hearts to Him, letting His light guide us through life, especially during the holidays when everything can feel a bit hectic. It’s like finally getting that sweater that fits just right—it fills us with hope, joy, and peace. "Yes, I see the gift you’re offering, and I’m going to let it change my life." The second reaction is rejecting the gift. Imagine unwrapping a sock puppet instead of something you actually wanted. You smile politely, nod, and maybe even plan to “re-gift” it next year. Rejecting Jesus' gift is like tossing aside a box without giving it a second glance. It’s like seeing His light and saying, “I’m good with the darkness, thanks.” But by doing so, we miss out on the peace, joy, and love that His gift offers. This Christmas, let’s accept the light Jesus offers and share it with others. As St. Francis of Assisi said, "All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle." There are people who carry God's light inside them, guiding others. Can you not find one? Then be one.

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