The overwhelming splendour of the Christmas Gospel consists in precisely this - that the Lord of Glory of His own will entered into our life on earth. At present we are giving thanks for 2,000 years of His continuing life in His church.
I refer to a little anecdote typical of home life during Advent, the penitential season of preparation for Christmas. A child asked his mother: "Mummy, who is coming?" He had noticed that she was busy cleaning and polishing the house, as she only did if expecting guests! Delighted with an innocent child's logical mind, and determined to answer his serious question politely, she told him of the Divine Guest expected: "We are preparing in our hearts a home where such a mighty guest may come."
We do wisely to pay attention to children's serious remarks - so often more to the point than so-called adults! The child's question, "Who is coming?" was wisely answered by his mother pointing to Christ. Sadly, and too often today, Christmas is associated only with traditions or occasions that have little or nothing to do with the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem. The real message of the Gospel is squeezed out.
Having worked in a shop during the Christmas "rush", one has sympathy with those who say they dread a Christmas when Christ seems to have been ignored. Indeed for them it is a relief to remind themselves of the central message: "Love came down at Christmas."
I remember an amusing remark by a busy mother, feeling overwrought and pressurised with so much to be done: "I am so busy that often I haven't the time to pray and wash my teeth in the same day!" We may feel just the same in the bustle of life coming up to Christmas, trying to find the time and opportunity for penitential prayer, or to dwell upon the second coming, or on subjects suitable to Advent preparation. Awareness of the Holy Spirit's presence with us and within us is a big help. He is constantly reminding us of the splendour of the Christmas Gospel, "Emmanuel", which, being interpreted, means God is with us.
Keeping that thought central in our minds, we are overwhelmed by its message, and guard against letting other things squeeze out the awareness of Christ's presence. We pray God to "stir up the wills of His faithful people" in giving Him priority. Then "dreading" things associated with Christmas will speedily be replaced by the excitement of revelling in the fact that the God of Love is with us.
"O God, who makes us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thy only Son Jesus Christ, grant that, as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen."
W.W.