This December 22, panic set in amidst my Christmas preparations. I realized that THE present had not arrived. Parents out there, can anyone relate? The one present that Amazon could not get to my house in time was, of course, the one that I was counting on to make Christmas extra special for my seven year old. How did I miss this? Would Christmas be ruined? As I was lamenting my situation, a friend shared with me the wisdom I needed at exactly that moment. “Shannon, don’t forget to leave room for the magic of Christmas!” Leave room for the magic? Before I could protest, I realized how right my friend was. As I let go of my cynicism and opened my heart to the possibilities of Christmas, the magic indeed sparked. Slowly I began to trust that what Amazon could not deliver, Santa could still find a way to leave under the tree. And, as I made room for the magic, I also made room for the real wonder and awe of Christmas, the wonder and awe of the
Incarnation.
As a parent, sometimes such wonder and awe can easily get lost amidst the hustle and bustle, financial concerns, and stressful preparations that come with the Christmas season. The same can be true for life in general. How often do I live not in the moment, but rather in the trap of hectic scheduling and anxiety about the future? How many times do I close the door to the possibilities that God has in store, if only I would trust His plan more fully? In reflecting on Christmas and today’s Feast of the Holy Family, I realize that Christmas is all about endless possibilities. Nothing is impossible with God. Mary and Joseph were open to the possibilities that God offered to them. They made room in their hearts for all that God could do and, as a result, brought our Savior into the world.
In our Gospel readings for both Christmas and today, I am reminded that the first Christmas was a lot more stressful than mine. A missing present is nothing compared to the struggles that the Holy Family faced. Matthew’s Gospel gives us a glimpse of their trials, shared from St. Joseph’s perspective. When Mary was found with child, Joseph’s love for her was so great, that he planned to “divorce her quietly,” as he was a “righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame.” Despite his plan, though, Joseph still left room in his heart for God’s plan. In a dream, an angel revealed a new possibility, instructing Joseph to not be afraid, but instead to believe that the child Mary was carrying was indeed the One who “would save his people from their sins.” Perhaps most remarkable about this passage to me is Joseph’s response. Upon waking, he did not question, dismiss, or laugh at the possibilities suggested in the dream. No, Matthew tells us that “when Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.”
Nothing is impossible with God, when we do as He commands.
In today’s Gospel on this Feast of the Holy Family, Matthew again shares with us St. Joseph’s unwavering faith in God’s plan. While I like to envision the idyllic Nativity scene of Mary and Joseph in the stable, basking in the light of the baby Jesus, surrounded by angels, shepherds, and Magi, today’s Gospel reminds me that the reality was not so simple. Not everyone was giving glory to God in the highest on that Holy Night. Herod, out of selfish fear and ignorance, was determined to find the Newborn King and destroy Jesus. Herod’s fear would become so great that “he ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years old and under.” Jesus’ life was in danger and it was Joseph’s job to protect Him. Joseph remained open to God’s possibilities and continued to respond to directions given to him in dreams. When the angel told Joseph to “rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you,” Matthew tells us that Joseph did just that, verbatim. He “rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.” Again, Joseph didn’t question, scoff, or complain; he followed God’s plan. In the years ahead, Joseph continued to protect and care for his family, following the angel’s instructions that ultimately guided them to Nazareth, “so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazorean.’” Joseph never wavered in his faith; God never failed him. Nothing is impossible with God, when we do as He commands.
As a parent, I am in awe of Mary and Joseph’s steadfast faith and trust in God’s plan and
possibilities. How different would my life be if I surrendered to God’s will and stopped interfering with my plans, worries, and anxiety? Matthew tells us in today’s Gospel that Joseph was “afraid” – but he didn’t let his fear overpower his trust in God. Fully embracing his role as parent, Joseph certainly had his share of worries about keeping Mary and Jesus safe, but he always left room for God in his heart. He never let fear crowd out the space that God claimed. What a beautiful example for a parent to follow.
In reminding me to leave room for the magic of Christmas, my friend gave me quite a gift. Thanks to the magic, that missing present indeed found its way under the tree on Christmas morning. The real gift, though, could not be wrapped. In carving out room for the magic of Christmas, I freed up space for the endless possibilities of our God of Surprises. I opened my heart to God’s love and made more room for trust in His plan, not mine. This is a gift that I will cherish not just for Christmas, but for a lifetime. One of my favorite songs this Christmas season has been Chris Tomlin’s Noel. The chorus speaks profoundly to my heart, “Noel, Noel, come and see what God has done. Noel, Noel, the story of amazing love, the light of the world, given for us.” Christmas is indeed the story of amazing love, the story of what God has done, the story of endless possibilities. This Christmas and throughout the New Year, may our hearts be more like Mary’s and Joseph’s, ever open to God’s amazing love and endless possibilities. May we come and see what God has done – and believe in what God will do in our lives, when we leave room for Him.