Sunday, December 22, 2024

Jerusalem was the center of Jewish faith, life, and existence. It was the place of pilgrimage, the only place where God was present among His people. So, it was turning everything upside down when Micah declared in today’s reading that the Messiah would come from a little, rural town: Bethlehem.
 
From the beginning to the end, Jesus turned everything on its head. The Jews were expecting a great, political ruler who would make them #1 again. Jesus was born of “nobody” parents in a stable. It was announced to shepherds, not the ruling class. The only people of importance who were in the loop were three Gentile visitors from afar. The end was even more shocking: instead of conquering all other kingdoms and making the Jews the rulers of the world, Jesus was tortured and killed by the religious leaders of his own people.
 
This week we will celebrate that unthinkable way (for the Jews) that the Messiah came into our world. Jesus still comes into our world each day in many, varied ways. A strong message for us is to remember that our way of understanding and seeing things is not God’s way. We constantly have to be open to the almost unthinkable, because God can and will surprise us. Perhaps Jesus will come to us in an unexpected sickness. An encounter with a homeless person. A surprise event that changes everything for us, be it something we perceive as good (a promotion) or bad (an illness). And only time will tell if these events are “good” or “bad.”
 
As we celebrate the birth of our Christ this week, let us thank God for the gift of His Son and our Savior. Let us ask God to open our eyes so that we can see Him coming into our lives in the people and events of each day. We are truly blessed! We also ask Him to help us live in such a way that we are bringing Christ to others, as we pray: Come, Lord Jesus, into my heart and help me to bring your goodness and kindness to all I meet.
 
I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas. Thank you for being part of our Pius family.
 
Church sign: The best gift ever was wrapped in swaddling clothes.