Christmas Day 2017

Gospel JN 1:1-5, 9-14
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man's decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father's only Son,
full of grace and truth.
Reflection:
"In the beginning was the Word."
We may think of Jesus as coming into the world on Christmas morning some 2000 years ago.
But in today's gospel, St. John reminds us that before the earth was a smoldering mass, Jesus our brother existed in the form of "the Word."
Since the beginning of time, Jesus has been One in being with the Father and is co-creator of all things.
"Words” are a powerful force. Our words can "create" peace or havoc.
Our words can bring about love or hate.
God speaks and moves through the words of those around us but we need to be open to Him. God also speaks to others through our words.
This year as the My Brother's Keeper Santa's Workshop was coming to life, I was struggling to "get in the Spirit."
The daily readings at Mass remind us that prior to Jesus' arrival, John the Baptist, the Elijah of his time, was announcing to all who would listen that Jesus would soon be coming.
At My Brother's Keeper, as the forklift hoisted the manger scene into place high above the gift wrapping stations, the Spirt of the season eluded me.
As volunteers arrived and began shopping, wrapping and delivering gifts, I still found myself simply going through the motions.
Then an amazing thing happened.
John the Baptist arrived; Elijah came in the flesh.
He actually came into My Brother's Keeper and spoke his "words" to me. And, through his "words," my soul and my spirit came to life.
Elijah came with his mom and his younger sister.
Elijah is twelve years old, and his family receives Christmas help from My Brother's Keeper.
But this year, his mom brought the family to help shop and wrap gifts for others in need.
It was Elijah's first visit to My Brother's Keeper. He was on fire with the "Spirit of the Lord" and the excitement of being able to "help Jesus."
Elijah's first question was, "Jim, when are we going to have the service?" I was caught off guard and responded, "The service?
What service?"
Confused that I didn't understand his question, Elijah looked at me intently and asked, "Jim, when do we pray?"
Embarrassed, I answered, "Oh! We say our closing prayer at 8 o'clock."
Smiling broadly, Elijah replied, "Good...that's good! When can I go out on deliveries?"
"Tomorrow Elijah....you can go on deliveries with me tomorrow. Be here at 10 tomorrow morning."
The next morning I woke up with an air of excitement thinking, "I have to get to the Keeper, Elijah is coming."
I arrived at the Keeper at 9:00. Elijah was already there. He had arrived at 8:30.
Smiling, his mother told me Elijah had woken her up at 4:00 AM; she had to tell him to go back to bed.
He said, "I can't sleep mom, I'm too excited!"
"Words" are a powerful force. Even the words of a twelve year old boy.
Jesus sent Elijah to speak "His" words to me.
Now, I can't sleep. I'm too excited.
Once again, like Jesus and little Elijah, I want to "set the world on fire."
".......and a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6