The Glory of God on Difficult Days

 Every year, my family places the same star upon our Christmas tree, no matter the size of the tree. It has traveled with us from home to home, halfway across the country. At one point, it even needed to be replaced. It took awhile to find the same star again, and the current one is more humble than the original. While the first one was painted gold to represent the majesty of Jesus, the newer one is simply the bare twisted vines that remind me of his crucifixion. 

Honestly, I like the new one more. While Christmas may have once been more about worldly things and the excitement of the gifts and treats, after many holidays of hardship, I find the newer star far more consoling in its simplicity and reality. It tells the whole gospel story at a glance - the good, the bad and the ugly, but mostly...the redemption.

Sometimes, the holidays are just hard. We've been through many difficult ones, too. Times of family division, deaths, etc. This year is no different as we struggle a lot as a parish. 

Strangely, this has been my most joyful Christmas on record. I can't remember ever experiencing a Christmas with more hope, peace, joy and love. Circumstances are a very deep struggle, a constant call to trust, and this year brought many big difficulties for our own household...surgeries, sending a child to college, medical issues and bills, job change. Yet, our household is okay. In fact, in many ways, we are better than ever because we weathered it all together. Our faith lives have been tested and growth has come as a result. 

The joy that I have is not a result of circumstances. It is an unchanging trust that was built ever-so-slowly within me over time as my faith has been tested beyond what I thought was even reasonable or beyond what I could bear. During those times, I saw Jesus carry me through. In each situation and each difficult holiday, Jesus has taught me the lessons contained in our Christmas star and through the characters in the story that it represents. 

Jesus came as Emmanuel, God with us, but also as our Redeemer. I keep hearing this statement and I see it again every time I look at the star. He entered into the daily difficulties of our lives in the humility and vulnerability of a newborn baby. He later laid down His life for each one of us while wearing a crown of thorns that we thrust upon His head by our sometimes relentless pride and determination to do things on our own terms, whatever the cost.

Whatever difficulties life may give us today, the story of the birth of Jesus doesn't leave us helpless, but gives us some ways of responding to the difficulties of the present with a spirit of expectant joy in the midst of them.

1. The Star: Jesus leaves the signs of His presence to guide us on our way. We have prayer, the Scriptures, our church families, sacraments, etc, in order to guide us toward Him, whatever may come. 

2. The Shepherds: We can go out to all the world to share our own joy and the story of what Jesus has done in our own lives and how He wants to do the same for others. 

3. Mary: We can take time to collect and ponder the little and big moments of joy and to ask God to unfold the deeper meaning of the happenings around us so we can understand how He is at work within our own situations to bring us closer to Him. 

4. Joseph: We can act on the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, in God's timing and way, to do what is needed for the good of those in our own sphere of influence. Joseph did not sit on the sidelines of his circumstances, but he lived out the role to which God called him. While he faced grave difficulties, God was at work in his own life and showed him the way. Joseph had to trust God deeply as he overcame his own reservations about the origin of Mary's pregnancy. He also had to act swiftly to protect his family from the rage of Herod that decided to kill the boys under two years of age in a desire to get rid of Jesus. Joseph acted obediently, with trust, to protect those entrusted to his care. 

5. The Wise Men: We can offer all our gifts to God and ask His guidance on how and when to use them. We can also take time to quietly adore Him while we wait. The wise men came to adore Jesus and to offer their gifts before the newborn King. They also followed the instructions from God in their dream to not return to Herod.

5. The Angels: We can live for the glory of God, using whatever we have been given to bring glory to God's name in all that we say and do. More than that, we have angels in our midst everyday assisting us in our journeys. We can always call upon their help in any challenge we face.

Most importantly, each person in the narrative of Jesus' birth followed the words of God. Each person responded to God's invitation and warnings, in the various ways that God manifested His divine will in their lives. Whatever fear or struggle they had to endure, they said yes. 

Today may hold circumstances or feelings we might wish with all our might to do away with, but the amazing gift of Christmas is that this is only the beginning of the story, not the end. We have redemption coming, and it will be worth all the waiting and hardship! There is a King who will make all things right once again, who will tie up the loose ends and give us the fulfillment of the hope that we carry within us.

Today, we may long with all our might to see our hope fulfilled. Our hearts may even ache as we wait, but God is not delayed or slow in coming. One of these days, our deepest hope will be fulfilled beyond our wildest imagination. But will he find faith when He comes? 

Peace be with you. 

"The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed." - 2 Peter 3:9-10 NRSVCE

"I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" - Luke 18:8 NRSVCE