What is it about this time of year? For some reason to me, it always feels quite magical. As though time that is speeding along has also been suspended, allowing us to capture and create moments of joy and wonder. Perhaps part of the magical feeling comes from the idea that it is not just us. So many people across the world, in their own ways, are celebrating at the same time. We feel connected. Our hearts are open and, through that, connections that one might usually pass by are more present because we are more present.
On this Christmas Eve, I wanted to share with you a Christmas Vigil written by Sr. Ann Braudis. Here she beautifully expresses the meaning of Christmas and the ways it can make us feel.
“In our hearts we know the meaning of Christmas:
– In the affection we feel for those we love
– In the willingness to forget grudges
– In the warm smiles and greeting we share with strangers
– In our hope for peace and abundance for all people
– And in our reaching out to those in need.
Living manger, Cochabamba, Bolivia, 1990
This Christmas Eve, across our planet, people will join together in a myriad of expressions of what tonight means. In a small village high in the Andes of Bolivia, the community will gather to reenact the first Christmas. They will compress the details of the story in order to have everything present in one beautiful celebration. In the cold mountain darkness they will follow a lighted star moved by a pulley across the village plaza; Mary will be there riding a donkey, Joseph by her side. The shepherds will follow along with the Magi. All will go into the small church and up to the sanctuary where the youngest baby of the village will become Jesus for the night. The other children will be angels singing the Christmas alleluia in their precious Quechua voices. Small crosses will be among the candles adorning the manger. By the door of the church, in the biting cold, they will drink hot cider. The night will be full of wonder, and its joy will sustain everyone for a long time to come.
In a mystical sense we too hold everything present tonight; sequential time is not important. We rejoice in the birth of a baby with minds running ahead to Jesus, the adult, who will call us to live a generous and noble life. Even as we remember what happened two thousand years ago, we are pulled to the future where hope resides and the promise of the fullness of life beckons. The daylight always hovers just ahead, and the chorus of angels forever announces a just and lasting peace.
May Jesus be born in you tonight as surely as he was born in Bethlehem all those long years ago.
May His promise be fulfilled in you, in those you love, and in the entire Earth community.
May the joy of this night sustain you for a long time to come.
Merry Christmas!”
Sr. Ann Braudis, MM
Bolivia and the Philippines
Moving forward from tonight, let us continue to reach out to each other this season in joy, in sadness, with love, with wonder, and a childlike curiosity. In doing so, as Sr. Ann says, “May the joy of this night sustain you for a long time to come.”
Merry Christmas everyone!
