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Most Rev. Robert J. CarlsonChristmas Message 2006It is now the darkest time of the year. The nights are long, and the days are short — and often gray. Many of us rise in the dark, go to work in the dark, and come home when it is growing dark again. I think this is why I decided to light up the pine tree in my front yard – for the joy of my neighbors and for the Season.How right it is, that we should celebrate this season of Christ's coming with lights! And there is a truth that is foreshadowed by the deep peace that our hearts feel when we catch a glimpse of Christmas lights. Something far deeper is being met than the need of our eyes for light—these lights seem to penetrate a need of our hearts, as well. For there is another kind of darkness—a darkness in our world and in our own lives—which is a darkness of the spirit, or a darkness of the soul. The landscape of the world is torn by violence; the landscape of our own hearts is torn as well—with sorrow and bitterness, with hurt and anger, with tiredness and resentment. It is not only our bodies that need warmth and light at this time of year. The inner world mirrors the outer world, and we feel more keenly the heart's desire for the warmth of God's love, and the mind's need for the light of His Word. So we celebrate the fact that Christ came, a long time ago, as the light of a dark world. And our faith teaches us to believe that He will come again, bringing the light of glory. But it is fitting now to pause, and to remember that we believe in another coming of Christ, a coming that lies between the other two: the coming of Christ into the lives of each and every one of us. Because this coming lies between the other two St. Bernard says "it is like a road on which we travel from the first coming to the last." Christ came into the little town of Bethlehem long ago. He wants to come into the littleness of our time and place as well: as light in our darkness, as rest to our weariness, as consolation in our discouragement. But while no one stood in the way of his first coming, and no one can stand in the way of his last coming, each and every one of us has the ability to welcome him in this middle coming, or to tell him that "there is no room in the inn" of our hearts. "The Church asks us to understand that Christ, who came once in the flesh, is prepared to come again. When we remove all obstacles to his presence he will come, at any hour and moment, to dwell spiritually in our hearts, bringing with him all the riches of his grace" (St. Charles Borromeo). I wish each of you the love Jesus, Mary and Joseph knew on that first Christmas night. May you and your loved ones share the peace and happiness of that love with each other. You and your family will share a special remembrance in my Christmas Mass. Sincerely yours in Christ, Bishop Robert Carlson Bishop of Saginaw | ||||||
