I absolutely love that tradition of waiting to put Baby Jesus in the Nativity Scene until Christmas Morning. I, however, have never followed it because I am truly worried I will forget where I hid Baby Jesus. In addition, my penchant for Nativities would mean hiding a great number of Mary’s ‘bundles of Joy’. I would spend all Christmas morning asking or wondering, “Where have I put Baby Jesus?”
Advent is just a few days away and I am already grumbling about how the later date of Thanksgiving will leave me short on time to prepare for Christmas. There is much that can be said about that one little sentiment and the true meaning of Christmas. Here are just a few of the things that come immediately to mind.
First, Christmas comes the same day every year – if I want to be completely honest with myself I’ve had 364 days or so to prepare for this year’s festivities. If I really want to enjoy the Advent season maybe I should do my shopping and wrapping in August? Or even better, not give gifts so much importance in our Christmas celebration.
Speaking of which, why do I put so much weight on all the ‘traditional’ preparations of the holiday – particularly gift giving? Where have I lost sight of ‘it is the thought that counts”? How much thought as I buzz through Amazon on “Cyber Monday” am I really giving these gifts? If I really want to enjoy gift giving, maybe I should start making my own gifts beginning in January!
Third and this is the question I started with, “Where have I put Baby Jesus”?
In 2013, my Advent season was truly blessed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to blog my daily reading of the wonderful book, When Faith Feels Fragile by R. Scott Hurd. Is there no better time when we are faced with so many examples of fragile faith, then during the preparations and living out of our faith during the holidays? I do believe if it were not for that reflection time I would have not done much spiritual growing during that year – and the months and years that followed.
True confession, my number one goal for many years has been to attend daily Mass. This Advent I pray that I can grab some of the extra grace amongst the wrappings and merriment to make this spiritual commitment –this true gift of myself for myself. I have felt this nudge for a long time to try to kick my night owl ways and get myself to the Eucharist every day – and not just in Adoration (though I am truly grateful to be at a Parish where Monday – Friday that is possible for me), but in reception. At the heart of this goal is to encounter Jesus every day – to come to Him in the Eucharist and be fed, nourished, encouraged.
Which brings me to my fourth and final point for today’s reflection.
The Big Day — during this time of the year I am speaking of Christmas, but when considering preparing to meet Jesus in the larger scheme of things – that day could be any of the days ahead. Whether I am ready or not, that day, like Christmas will inevitably come. I am either going to meet Him, through my death or Him coming to meet us through the Second Coming. Regardless of when and how I need to know the answer to, “will I truly be ready?” Honestly, what will matter when we do meet? I doubt Jesus will be looking for me have the perfect gift all nicely wrapped for Him? I am also fairly sure He won’t be perusing my masterfully crafted Christmas Letter before passing final judgment. I definitely pray He doesn’t want a snack – as I am probably one of the worst cooks in the world.
All joking aside – I do not believe Jesus would not want any of those – though in and of themselves they are not bad things, they are all good. On their own and in proper perspective they are all truly good, fun, and exciting parts of the Advent/Christmas season that God would want us to enjoy…after of course, only after we’ve remembered where we have put Baby Jesus.
Copyright 2015, Allison Gingras
Allison Gingras
Allison Gingras is founder of Reconciled To You and host of A Seeking Heart on Bread Box Media weekdays 10 am ET. Allison created the "Words with" daily devotional App Series. Allison offers retreats and presentations: Seeking Faith Series, Lessons from the Holy Family, and Technology & Evangelization.
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