After being let down by another dusty homily at Christmas day Mass, let me share a Christmas thought that I would have given for a homily.
Just like an increasing number of people in an increasingly globalized world, I am celebrating Christmas in the country where I work, away from home and family. But regardless of where one is, or who you are with or are not with, Christmas shouldn’t feel anything less. Even as I am away from family and friends, strangely, I don’t feel alone.
Here’s the reason: Last weekend, amidst the throng of shoppers during the Christmas rush, I had an epiphany: all that activity was driven by a desire to express and celebrate a kind of goodness that transcends the everyday because, well, that is the spirit of the season. And I realized that, even if I didn’t share their culture or religion, I shared the ideal. That made me feel not alone; I felt very much that I am — as we all are — part of a larger family that shares that same desire — to embody goodness, no matter that life (i.e., work, bosses, finances, etc.) makes it painfully difficult at times. To me, that is the most concrete and relevant manifestation of what John’s Gospel for today means: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” And that’s why even in these times of great global problems and cynicism, it’s hard not to hope. If only because we see how ordinary people make a sincere effort to embody and live out goodness no matter the circumstances.
Have a meaningful Christmas everyone.
