Christmas reflected in the joyful face of a child

    The Christmas season is a season of total, unrestrained gift.
    As we recall the birth of the Babe of Bethlehem, it is interesting to note that although we celebrate his birthday and desire to give him gifts, the true gift comes from God himself, who gave us his only Son.
    God asks us in return to give him our lives, and that self-gift should be the focus of our prayer and worship during the Christmas season.
    The Lord Jesus was born among us, but he is no longer the Babe of Bethlehem. He is the Risen Christ, and we must receive him as our brother, our messiah and our king.
    The Christmas scriptures speak beautifully about the miracle of the Incarnation. After the birth of Jesus, the angels proclaim: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).
    What a powerful message that is! It certainly is a message we need to hear in our archdiocese as we continue to fight the New Battle of New Orleans. Wherever there is violence, murder and racism, our lives should instead reflect “peace to people of good will.”
    Let us be people of good will, thereby inviting others to be peacemakers.
    One of the things of which I am very aware is that Christmas is a family time – and also a time for children. This is an opportunity for families to spend quality time together, and I pray that those family gatherings will be peaceful times.
    Christmas also is an opportunity for us as church to recognize our children and to thank God for them. We need to be for them shining examples of peacemakers and disciples of  Jesus.
    As a child I can remember the utter excitement of waiting for Santa Claus, going to Mass and then unwrapping the Christmas gifts. A child’s unbridled joy in opening a gift makes Christmas a very different kind of celebration.
    Let us gaze upon our children to see not only their joy but also how valuable they are to us and to God.