Christmas

Post date: Dec 24, 2018 6:44:38 PM

Christmas 2018 Homily by Fr. Karl Schray

There once was a man who didn’t believe in the Incarnation

(God becoming human). Christmas had no meaning for him.

He was even skeptical about God. He and his family lived on a farm. His

wife was a devout believer and diligently raised her children in the Faith.

He sometimes gave her a hard time about her faith

and mocked her religious observance of Christmas.

One snowy Christmas Eve, she was taking the kids to the Christmas Mass.

She pleaded with him to come but he firmly refused. He ridiculed the idea

of the Incarnation of Christ and dismissed it as nonsense. ‘

Why would God lower himself and become a human like us?

It’s such a ridiculous story’, he said.

So, she and the children left for church while he stayed home.

A while after his family left, the winds grew stronger and

the snow turned into a blizzard.

He sat down and then heard a thump, something hitting the window.

And another thump. He looked out the window but could see nothing.

So, he ventured outside. In the field near his house,

he saw the strangest thing—a flock of geese. They were apparently

flying south looking for warmer weather but got caught in the snowstorm.

The snow had become too blinding for the geese to fly or see their way.

They were lost—stranded on his farm with no food or shelter.

They flew around the field aimlessly.

He had compassion for them and wanted to help them. He thought to

himself, ‘the barn would be a great place for them stay. It’s warm and safe’.

So, he walked over to the barn, turned on the lights and opened the barn

doors for them. He waited, hoping they would notice the light and fly in.

He moved closer to them to get their attention,

but they moved away out of fear. He went and got some bread and

made a trail of crumbs leading to the barn. They still didn’t get it.

Starting to get frustrated, he went over and tried to shoo them and

chase them toward the barn.

They only got scared and scattered in every direction. Nothing he did

got them into the barn where there was warmth, safety and shelter.

Feeling totally frustrated, he said aloud, “Why don’t they follow me?”

Can’t they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm?

How can I possibly get them into one place to save them?

The only way would be for me to become like those geese.

If only I could become like one of them—then I could save them!

They would follow me, and I would lead them to safety.”

He stood silently for a moment as the words that he just said

reverberated in his mind.

“If only I could become like one of them, then I could save them.

He thought about his words and remembered what he said to his wife:

“Why would God want to be like us?”

Something clicked in his mind as he put these two together.

It was like a revelation and he began to understand the Incarnation.

We were like the geese—blind, gone astray, perishing.

God became like us,

so He could show us the way and make a way available to save us.

That is the meaning of Christmas, he finally realized.

As the winds and blinding snow abated,

his heart became quiet and peaceful.

He knew now why Jesus came to earth.

Suddenly years of doubt and disbelief melted away

as he humbly bowed his head in prayer

and embraced the true meaning of Christmas.

Dear Lord,

The first Christmas is when you came near to us. This Christmas you want us to come nearer to you. Jesus, you show the power of your love for each of us.

Our stubbornness, our pride and our sins separate us from you. We are sorry for our sins and we are eager to do good. In this Holy season, we want to renew our relationship with you and do your will.

Amen