Christmas in America

[Note: apologies to Becky -- didn't see this in the hopper to go up til now... she really wrote it on the 15th] 

A few friends of mine and I were watching the Nativity Story at my house and  started talking about different Christmas movies.  My roommates and I have the movie Elf at our house, and we were talking about our favorite lines, one of mine is “I’m in love, I’m in love and I don’t care who knows it!” Anyways,  one of my friends said, “Lets watch Elf! Thats much more Christmassy.” She definitely didn’t mean exactly what she said, but I had to make fun of her for it:  Apparently the story of the birth of Jesus does not have the same Christmas value as the story of an elf.

It is an interesting reflection though, how much we associate Christmas with red and green, Santa, shopping, lights, trees, cookies, and ugly sweaters. We spend so much thought, racking our brain for the perfect gifts for our friends and family, going to Christmas parties, decorating the house, making cookies, all good and wonderful things. How much is spent reflecting on the meekness of the God of the universe coming to earth to be born in a stable?  It is incredible to me  how  saturated the media is with Christmas, or ‘Holiday Spirit’, yet how devoid it is of Christ. 

This had made me think alot about my own perception of Christmas.  Do I  simply  love Christmas because I get gifts,  make great memories with family and friends, and eat great food? Or do I love it because God gave us the gift of His only Son? I would like to say the latter, but I’m not sure my actions always  represent that statement. I still have 10 days until Christmas, I hope and pray that Christ will take precedence in my mind, over all the other stuff.

Follow the Star! Searching for Jesus During Advent

I originally posted this on another blog but thought it fit nicely here.

There are so many distractions in this world! I feel like I’ve got about a arms full of them stacked up so high that I can’t see around them. I’m not sure what I’m doing or where I’m going. It’s so interesting, I noticed the otherday that in my journal that I keep – yes I still keep a diary – that I write in every so often and it’s usually addressed to God… I doodle. I have all these pictures of stars all over the place. It was interesting because I just draw them while I’m thinking of what I want to write down next and never noticed it until now.

What’s even more interesting is that it’s Christmas time. Jesus was found by people because of a star.

Additionally (hahaa) Jesus is referred to in Joy in our Weakness by Marva Dawn as the Morning Star. I believe there is a scripture as well that references him as this but I can’t remember right now.

Not only THAT, but today I decided that I was going to start this little thing that I sort of stole from my Parish Library where I used to live. (I didn’t really steal it but I ask the parish librarian if I could borrow it and that was 3 years ago. ) But today I looked at the first entry and the bible verse is:

You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, as you offer them the message of life. (Phil 2:15-16)

So I am overloaded with tons of symbolism and mystical signs all in the image of a star.

Can I just say that I love God.

I mean, how freakin cool? I’m wandering around, day by day, not sure of what I’m doing with my life. Not sure of what God wants with me. Not sure of really, well, anything. I’m frustrated by my job, I’m confused as to how my job helps further God’s Kingdom, I feel so completely and utterly distracted…. I’m lost.

The beauty of it is that like the wise men, I know who I’m looking for. I may not know how to get there or how far it is.. But I know who I’m looking for. I’m looking for the KING. And guess what? I’ve got a Star to guide me. How great it would be if I had a star in the sky to follow – although… I’m not sure how I would follow a star literally. I guess just keep driving in one direction. But I’ve got a star to follow. Jesus. He’s the hope before the break of dawn. The morning star.

But then in Phillipians, this verse, I am supposed to shine too?

Ok, so I’m here lost but I’m supposed to shine too? I’m supposed to be a leader? Uh… ok. So, how?

The study or reflection attached to the verse talks about Mother Teresa and how she cared for the abandoned children of Calcutta. She inspired people to join, she shone and offered the message of life to people. How do I offer people the message of life? How do I shine?

Do I shine now? Do people know? I can be so timid in offering my thoughts and the Truth. I guess I’m afraid of coming off as judgmental. People are so incredibly defensive (and can be judgemental) when it comes to Catholics and Christians in general. How do I inspire people to follow the star, to join me in my journey?

I really don’t know. I do know that I have so many distractions. I have so many online ventures that I’ve begun that I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore. I don’t know what the purpose of it all is anymore. I feel like I spend all this time online, networking and talking with people and for what? To prove to them that I am smart? That I know things about marketing? Or maybe I just have genuinely gathered a group of people around me because I shine? I’m not trying to build myself up here or tear myself down. I honestly don’t know. I can’t say my intentions are always pure. I don’t always write my professional blog for the pursuit of Truth. Sometimes I write something because I know that it will get traffic or because I know that people will think I know what I’m doing. There is definitely a desire to prove myself. Which I don’t think is necessarily bad but it isn’t good either. Why do I have to prove myself to strangers? Why do I feel the need to make myself an online or virtual celebrity if you will… Or is it just part of shining? Am I still offering the message of life?

I really think it’s an ongoing process. I don’t think these things ever just magically fall into place and we just know. Not til we actually are physically and spiritually in the heavens with Jesus. I think I’ll be asking myself this question and ones like it and relating to it for the rest of my earthly days. The challenge is to keep asking them. To keep seeking out how to shine among them and light up the sky! How to offer the message of life?

More than anything I want to be faithful to GOD. Cause he is my star.

Fiat

What does it mean to say “yes” to something?

We say “Yes” all the time. And we probably say “No” even more often.

But we don’t often think about it either way, until it’s a major decision.

Mary didn’t know what she was getting into — how could she?! — but she still said “yes.”

She had the confidence in God to say “I’m your handmaiden, do with me what you will.”

That’s why she’s the Queen of Heaven, and we’re not: How many of us have the confidence to say with our whole heart, “Whatever you want, Lord. Whatever it takes. I’m in. I will never doubt that You are leading me where I should be, nor will I ever lose confidence that I’m following You.”?!

But beyond her truly Grace-full confidence, she was still human. She still struggled, and she still suffered. As we struggle and suffer, we can look to our Mother to TRY to develop that confidence. Because God is happy when we TRY. He’s happy when we learn and when we seek Him.

So… “Yes, Lord. Fiat. I’m trying to follow You. Be with me and in me. Mary, show me how.”

Prayer of St. Therese
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

(Note: No one is sure if St. Therese of Lisieux really wrote this or not, but it is attributed to her and based on her “little way” spirituality, either way.)