Dear Friends,
Christmas is the feast of risk-taking. We can see it, touch
it, feel it, hear it.
God the Father took a risk when he sent the angel Gabriel to
ask Mary for her consent to become the Mother of his Son. Mary
took a risk when she said yes to God’s remarkable request. She accepted that
call with her yes. The yes of Mary was the first word of the church.
Mary kept silent about what she was called to until Joseph
also knew. Keeping silence is risky. Misunderstanding could follow upon
silence.
Joseph received his message in a dream. He risked believing
when it would have been easier to not to do so. He risked believing he was an
important player, something greater than he could imagine.
Jesus, the newborn babe risked becoming totally human as
well as divine. He entered a world of believers and unbelievers and disbelievers,
so that all might live.
The shepherds risked coming down into town from the hills where
they were at home. Going where we don’t feel comfortable is risky.
Later, the Magi would arrive. They were both sure and unsure
about what they sought. It is risky to go forward on life’s journey when we are
unsure of what we seek and where we go.
Going to Herod, they hoped to diminish risk, but their
encounter with Herod brought death to little boys who didn’t know they were at
risk. Sometimes, other people suffer when we take risks.
Following the newborn Infant God is risky for everyone.
Following him leads to the cross. Jesus risked everything on
the cross. That risk was already present at his birth.
But more.
Following Jesus, the Babe of Bethlehem brings us to the
resurrection and life to the full. In a world
where refugees risk all by fleeing from death in their own homelands, the Babe
is present. Where
firefighters and first responders risk their own lives to save others, the Babe
is present. Where families put down the differences that divide them in a moment of Christmas
peace, the Babe is present.
Where
Christians are persecuted and die for their faith, the Babe is present.
This Christmas, let us each believe in a deeper way that
Jesus, Emmanuel, God with Us, the Word made Flesh, the Prince of Peace,
the Light of the World, the Good Shepherd, the Risen One is close as we risk
all for the sake of life. It’s a splendid way to end one year and anticipate
another.
~Sister Joan Sobala
