2023/12/24 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Fourth Sunday of Advent / Christmas
-Erika Wenson, Communications Associate
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;” I can see the lector now, reading this passage from Isaiah amidst a dark cathedral, individual candles lit all throughout the congregation. These first words of the Old Testament message for one of my favorite Masses of the year, the Midnight Mass, are one of the most memorable, meaningful, and profound passages, I believe, in the Bible. It’s only natural that it was decided hundreds of years ago that this holiday be celebrated in the least light-giving month of the year.
Perhaps you’re like me, someone who struggles to stay cheerful this time of year. Either it’s due to the literal lack of sun, endless gifts to purchase (while trying to avoid buying everything for yourself), events to attend and socialize at, or any other holiday-related stressor. It can be incredibly easy to get distracted and caught up in unhealthy ways of coping with the stress — I can tell you first-hand. Unfortunately, Satan, who knows Jesus is coming into the world, often whispers in our ears: “Tis the season to be tempted.” We all have our favorite sins we fall on, and sometimes it’s easier to give in to those during times of stress, sadness, and reminders of isolation that the holidays often bring. But while Satan may try to get us off track for a while by feeding us whatever baseless lie we tend to believe that weighs us down the most, Isaiah continues to proclaim to us: “For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.”
What a relief we have in these lines! Maybe it’s hard for you to believe them, but I want you to try to soak them in, really rest in them for a moment. Reread them if you have to. The heavy yoke of sin is smashed. Do you believe those words? Can you believe that in the midst of all our pain, grief, depression, isolation, frustration, and anxiety that a baby came into the world to free us all from those yokes that burden us?
Earlier this year I went to the Alpha Day of Healing. I had a lot weighing on my mind at the time and problems I was wrestling with the Lord on and when I went up to receive prayer, a dear friend of mine said she saw this vision of Baby Jesus, and He was asking me to hold Him. To remember Him as a baby. In that same way, she said He wanted to remind me that He, too, still holds me like an infant — there to comfort, nurture, and heal. The ultimate Good News is that no sin of ours is too great, or pain too profound for our Savior to hold us, sit with us in that morning, shame, guilt, doubt, because He’s been there. He knows the depths of our hearts better than we even do.
So, my challenge to you is this: sit in a few moments of silent reflection. Right here, right now. Envision yourself holding the wee Messiah babe. Are you rocking Him? Maybe you’re humming Him a soft Christmas tune while He sleeps. Now envision yourself being held by Jesus. Let his warm embrace engulf you. How do you feel? Perhaps relieved, hopeful, at peace. Whatever feeling it is, may you always remember: no sin is too great or time spent away from Him too long to still be wrapped in His loving arms. And that, to me, is the greatest Christmas message of all.