Daily Reflection The Nativity of Our Lord

For more than a month we have been surrounded by Christmas music and holiday decorations. Although these externals remind us of the birth of Jesus, they don’t really communicate the depths of this nativity. In fact, doctors tell us that many people experience an emotional depression during the holiday season. Psychologist and spiritual director, James Finley, reminds us of the life-giving aspect underneath our soul problems. “The surprising thing is that the intimate healing that spirituality brings into our lives is often hidden in the muck and mire of the very things about ourselves we wish were not true. The secret opening through which we pass into wholeness is hidden in the center of those wounds we are most afraid to approach.” So, how does this joyful season connect us intimately with this God who loves us unconditionally?

 

    The fourteenth century Franciscan theologian, Duns Scotus, told us God looked out at all the people that God had created and said, “How can I show all these people how much I love them? I know. I will become one of them!”  Granted that God became human in Jesus in all things but sin, Jesus still experienced all human emotions. Jesus is the God of everyone. In becoming human, Jesus shows us that we can experience the divine in everyone and everything. We can take the muck and mire of our daily lives into our prayer: our foibles, prejudices, unjust anger, personal hurts, negativity. Then we allow God to transform our sin into the patience and humility we need for our daily living.

 

    Throughout the Advent readings, Isaiah has offered us hope. So, now that we have embarked on the Christmas season, Hope has been re-born in Jesus. But we are not searching for just a tinsel of hope. Isaiah tells us that this great light is Jesus. Yet, in order for us to experience the great light of our Savior, we need to acknowledge our own darkness as James Finley had counseled us.

 

    Celebrating Christmas is more than rejoicing over the birth of Jesus. Christmas 2024 is God’s personal invitation to each of us to live out the two great commandments of love. Let’s remember that this little baby grew into the God who loves each one of us—and asks that we try to love each other in the same way. Yes, celebrating Christmas reminds us that we are Jesus to each other.

 

Quaker Christmas Melody