While rereading Rick Warren's The Purpose of Christmas, I
was reminded how easy it is to forget the reason for the season. Despite the bumper
stickers, I still find myself being sucked into the giant "Black
Friday-Cyber Monday" vortex. But Rick reminds us that this has happened
before. It must have been so bad that God invaded the earth (as Rick says
humorously). It's funny but memorable and thought provoking which is what good
teachers do. Yes Jesus was sent to let us know how much God loves us. It didn't
make any difference that God kept telling his people that they were loved. We
don't even have to work for it. God loves us because God is love. But just to
give us one more jolt that we could never forget, God sent his son Jesus to
save us from our sins. Now Jesus was a lot like other invaders. He spoke a
different language that focused on love, forgiveness, and peace. He called us
to be meek and love God like little children. He asked his chosen twelve
followers to give up their homes, families, jobs; really everything that they
had come to hold dear. Jesus offered them eternal life and he enrolled them in
a management training program that would forever change their lives. Jesus was the ultimate CEO and like any good
leader who builds something and wants it to last, he planned for his
succession. Jesus knew that the apostles would have to continue to build his
church on earth once he returned to Heaven. But make no mistake, Jesus did come
to conquer. He only wanted the entire world. And to prove that he was serious,
he gave his life. He stretched out his arms, showing the breadth of his love,
and allowed himself to be nailed to the cross. So the baby Jesus that we
celebrate on Christmas day grew into the savior of the world. His gift to us is
eternal life but we do have to give something in return. He wants our lives. He
wants to use us to further his invasion. Because his time on earth was only the
beginning and we are called to continue the battle until he comes again to
complete the war. So as we continue to prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus,
the day that forever changed the world, let us truly focus on the reason for
the season. Make this advent preparation time worthy of the effort that Jesus
gave. Take the time to demonstrate to the world that Christians, followers of
Jesus Christ, are here to change the world. Be meek, peace-makers. Reach out to
those less fortunate. Bring some joy into a life that may be filled with
loneliness. Invade your part of the world with the ferociousness of a prayer
warrior worthy to be called a disciple of Christ. Come Emmanuel and change the
world.
Born during the turbulent era of the French Revolution, Saint Jeanne Jugan rose above hardship and a lack of formal schooling to become a profound vessel of Christ’s mercy. After losing her father at a young age and working through her youth as a kitchen maid and nurse, her life radically changed one freezing night when she encountered a blind, paralyzed elderly woman with nowhere to go. Jeanne carried the woman back to her own home, placed her in her own bed, and began a lifelong mission of radical hospitality. This act of profound love blossomed into the Little Sisters of the Poor , a thriving community dedicated to sheltering and honoring the destitute elderly. Despite later facing heavy trials—including being unjustly sidelined and stripped of her leadership by a controlling chaplain—Jeanne accepted her obscurity and exile with a joyful spirit, resting her complete trust in God's hidden providence until her death in 1879. In our daily lives, Saint Jeanne Jugan invites us to lo...