I want to start off by wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas. I hope everyone can be with family and friends, and really take time to relax and be thankful among those most important to you.
When I think about the birth of our Lord, I can’t help but wonder how far, us, as Christians, have wandered from the example Jesus set for us. The most glorious Being, the King of Kings, our Saviour, was born in a manger. How many times do we hear this same story, and yet it continues to shock me. The One who is our Leader, in all ways, was born in a tiny bed lying on hay. Which, by the way is what cows eat for food, thrown onto the ground left for animals to step on.
Nowadays, we consider everything on a scale of “acceptable” or “ae’eb” meaning “shameful.” Especially for those who attend mass on January 6th, it seems like we are rated by those standing beside us instead of the One we stand in front of. Men should be clean shaven and wearing a nice suit or it’s “ae’eb.” Most women usually where all the jewellery they have to show off how rich their husbands are. I’m not saying all people are like this, but the number of times I’ve heard family tell me to dress nicely, or put on makeup for church is more than I can count.
Who are we trying to impress? The congregation? When did we become so shallow as to be afraid of what other people think, and about our jobs, our materials? How many times have you heard of mothers not allowing their daughters to marry whom they love because he was not a doctor?
I, too, have fallen victim to this way of thinking, but honestly, who can blame me when we live in this culture of materialism and worldly ideas?
My hope for this Christmas is to try and impress Jesus. If Jesus was born today, how many people would say “ae’eb” for being born in a room with cows and donkeys? How many would be ashamed of ripped clothing and few belongings adorned by Our Savior? I wish we can remember that our life isn’t about what we own, it’s about who we are. Jesus doesn’t care if we are doctors, or make 5000 Egyptian Pounds a month, He cares about whether or not we are living His words. Jesus will judge us asking if we loved others as He taught us to. He will look at what our heart is wearing, not our bodies. Are we clothed with kindness and joy as He instructed, or are we clothed with the lusts of mankind and possessions of the world?
I want us to take the time to really meditate on what that scene was like at the barn where Jesus was born. Picture the surroundings. Imagine the smells. Contemplate the modesty of this Holy Family. On this Christmas, and going forward, I will be trying on a new trend, and hold myself to different standards, the standard of God. What about you?
