4th Advent: Obedience to the Divine Plan

12-15-2019Weekly Reflection

In Mt. 1:18-24, we hear of the unconditional obedience of two important characters in the Christmas story, the parents of Jesus, Joseph and Mary. The advent of the baby Jesus started from their simple “Yes” to God’s plan, and yes to His divine will for the salvation of humanity.

The Christmas story revealed one important character of God, His faith with His creatures. The divine plan, the coming of the Son, was conditioned by the obedience of Mary and Joseph. This affirmed God’s belief of human goodness, that human beings are His confident partners in the History of Salvation.

The genealogy of Jesus (Mt. 1, 1-17) which revealed the fallen nature of man, Jesus’ ancestry is lined with people who are sinners and saints. But out of this ancestry came the “Savior” of the world. Despite humanity’s fallen state, God had faith in His people, in that something good can come out of seemingly hopeless situation.

The 1995 World Youth Day Theme Song lyrics capture the spirit of God at Christmas, “God so loved the world He gave us His only Son. Jesus Christ our savior, His most precious one. He has sent us His message of love and sends those who hear. To bring the message to everyone… with a voice loud and clear.”

Christmas is the greatest story ever told. When you greet someone Merry Christmas, or write a wish of Merry Christmas, do not replace the Christ with an X, as in Merry Xmas…Christ will never leave or abandon us, unlike possible EX’s have left or abandoned us in the past. The best way to tell this greatest story is to live the story. Yes, may we all carry and live out the spirit of Christmas, the whole year round. Merry Christmas, everyone!

A Christmas moment: An 80-year-old woman called a priest and asked to pray with her one “Hail Mary.” She had such a soft, lonely voice, and she made her request in such a humble way. They prayed the “Hail Mary” very slowly and lovingly, at the end of the Hail Mary they were both in tears. It was just a simple “Hail Mary,” but it meant so much for someone who is sick, hurting, and lonely. There are many people like her around us this Christmas.

May Christmas be beautiful and meaningful for us, and that in our own little way, we can make Christmas beautiful and meaningful for others, too. Let’s help others feel the Christmas spirit. Lord, like Joseph and Mary, help me to see your divine plan and be obedient to it.