2nd Sunday in Advent, Dec. 4, 2011
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 “A baptism of repentance”
Full homily text: What a beautiful custom we have here at St Odilo—the Giving Tree. I think that what makes it so beautiful is that—if we understand it correctly—our children are turning the tables on the meaning of Christmas—at least the meaning that the world wants to give to Christmas—you know, the world out there that does not want to hear any prayers—the world out there that does not want to see a Nativity Scene—the world out there that is offended to hear the mention of Jesus’ Name—the world out there that resists all thought of His beautiful Virgin Mother, Mary—the world out there that says that He belongs only in the church building and not out in the market or square.
Do you ever wonder, “To what kind of life is God calling me?” or “How can I know God’s will?” or “Am I being called to religious life?” See our video, “Take one step at a time and become a Dominican Sister” on our website of the Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, and see what awaits those who are called by God in this special way.
See the joy of those in the various stages of becoming a sister: aspirancy, postulancy, novitiate, and profession.
They always prattle on about how we have freedom of worship. Yes but we are fast approaching a world—a society—a country—if we are not there already—where all they will allow us to do is worship in this building.
Faith in public
That anything that smacks of talking about the faith in public or inculcating the religion of God beyond these walls will be—or already is—strictly forbidden.
This is the world that decrees that the mere mention of Christmas is against what this country is about—that the words “Christ” and “Mass” may never be uttered publicly together—but only “Happy Holidays!” “Happy Holidays”! Does that mean anything to you? It certainly means nothing to me. Like most of what passes for American culture these days it has no rhyme or reason—just an excuse for politicians to preen and “B” list celebrities to cavort—and all of it on a 41 inch flat screen television they have persuaded us to buy so that we might be happy. Well it wont make us happy.
I cringe every year when I hear the commercials about a silly celebration downtown called “Winter Wonder Fest”. What is a Winter Wonder Fest? A party that celebrates cold Darkness? That makes no sense! And what are they wondering at? Snow and Ice? That’s pretty smart. Maybe they want us to be in awe of all the Toy Soldiers—you know the ones that come from some Nineteenth Century European ballet. What is that supposed to be about? Well, I guess we all know that this foolishness is driven by the merchants who bombard us on television and radio and in the newspapers who do not miss the smallest chance to tell us that Christmas is about buying and selling and even borrowing so that we can buy some more and they can sell some more.
Why the memories are sweet
And the sad irony is that often enough they use the sweet memories of long-ago Christmases past, but they will not help us remember why those memories are so sweet. Of course, they are so sweet because the old Christmas was about the Baby Jesus.
But we are in the New Christmas!—the Winter Wonder Fest! where we learn not about a God who loves us by giving us Himself—but about how we can measure love by how much people give us—and that the more we get from those whom we have shamed into giving, well, the more they love us.
Is that not the message of every commercial we hear—that the purchase of more things will make for happier lives? Isn’t that what all those smiles on the faces of all those models in all those ads are trying to tell us? That if we buy more stuff, and receive more stuff then and only then will we have smiles like they do? That is such a lie! Now I know that all of us will be giving and receiving gifts this Christmas as we have done all of our lives.
Not a Scrooge moment
And none of this homily should be construed as my little Scrooge moment. But in order for Christmas to be as holy as we would want it to be, we must always make sure that the foundation of all our gifting is a generous and sacrificial love modeled on God’s love for us.
Because as soon as the gift itself becomes all that we are concerned with then things get out of balance. That is the moment that we forget that none of those things we either put on our backs or place in our hands can add one more day to our lives. Not one more flat-screen HDTV or IPOD can do one thing to help us and our families to live well—or die in the state of grace—or get us to heaven.
But what pressure this consumer culture puts on our families.
Piles of plastic garbage
The merchants—working hand in hand with the bankers and traders and politicians squeeze our poor parents relentlessly—trying to convince them that the children need all these piles of plastic Chinese garbage in order for them to be fulfilled and happy and bright. But this junk wont do it.
Besides, who has not seen the orgy of greed that Christmas can become (when it is all about gifts) with a front room choked with kids and wrapping paper and never so much as a “thank-you” and too often “Is that all?” No, Christmas as this world would explain it, never satisfies because it is about receiving things—it is about getting things—it is about taking things—gifts, thrills, fun, food. Christmas as this world understands it, always disappoints. Why do you think that there are so many Christmas family fights and depression for so many at Christmas time? Because Christmas, as this world celebrates it, is a promise that is always empty.
A little green top
I asked an older man once what toys he got for Christmas in the olden days. I thought it would be interesting to know what Christmas was like in the day. Now, he told me that they were poor—very poor. His father was just a laborer who made seven dollars a week—four of which went for rent for their third floor flat, and three for food and clothing and heat.
And the only toy this man remembered ever getting in all of his childhood was a little green top that he played with behind the big black cast iron stove in their kitchen.
But he really didn’t care that he received no toys, and just an orange or two and a couple of raisins—because he had a mother and father who loved him. He had sisters and a brother whom he loved. He had his Catholic faith and his loving family. He knew that the deepest comfort he could ever receive every Christmas was that they were all home together under God and with Jesus. And he kept that little green top—even into his adulthood.
I know because I found it once in his dresser. He was my father.
Remember Toys for Tots? I wonder—is it possible that maybe those kids need more than toys! I would bet that they are in desperate need of mothers and fathers who are home for them. They might need the love of brothers and sisters and maybe even the knowledge of the true faith.
But all they will get is toys? I hope not.
Christmas is about grace
That is why the giving tree must remind us that Christmas is about giving love and giving life—and making sacrifices and offerings for those we love—and maybe even for those we do not love.
Christmas is about kind words exchanged by husbands and wives for each other. It is about children hugging their mommies and daddies and mommies and daddies hugging each other. It is about brothers and sisters taking care of one another and watching out for the littler ones. Christmas is about going to church and asking Our Blessed Lord to protect and cherish and abide with and defend our families who are under such assaults that they need God more than ever.
I hope that if there is any lesson to be learned during Advent it is that Christmas is not about things. It is about grace—and grace is free. Christmas is about love. God for us. We for each other.
And we really need no more than that.