Atlantic District Publications

In the basketball world, it’s called “March Madness.”  The Big Tournaments, the NCAA Men’s and Women’s tourneys, hustle and bustle there way through two and a half solid weeks of games down to the finals, which oddly enough, usually ends up being on a Monday in April.  

But for those of us who work in churches, it’s December Madness, as the Advent/Christmas cycle brings two or three solid weeks of hustle and bustle right through to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  And for those of us in Latino cultural zones, there’s an extension until January 6 – Los Tres Reyes – Three Kings.  

While we rail against the cultural spending craziness, we in “church world” have been for at least a couple of centuries caught up in extremely busy sets of activities including caroling, Christmas programs, and extra holiday services.  All of it CAN be wonderful, and yet….

There should be a part of us, always, that simply wants to kneel at the altar and adore One who came to be one of us in the same way as us in order to save us from our sins.  And in our quiet time of adoration, kneeling there, then to receive Him in His Body and Blood knowing that the Baby Jesus, who unlike other babies knew no sin, became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God.  

In that sense – and this is at the personal heart of the mystery so bright – WE are part of the Holy Family.  Yes!  We are declared holy in Christ.  We are declared sons and daughters, “children of the heavenly Father.”  “Safely in His bosom” WE, our loved ones and our church family gather to “see this thing which has come to pass.”  

Treasure your moments of hustle and bustle for the sake of those you love and get all the cell-photos you can store of the little ones in their costumes.  Of course.  Why not?  But my advice to you is at a certain point to trade the madness for the mystery.

Treasure more, treasure most of all,  the moments when you can pray, alone or with your loved ones, the words penned by Martin Luther: “Ah, dearest Jesus/Holy Child/make Thee a bed soft, undefiled/within my heart, that it may be/a quiet chamber kept for Thee.”

A truly blessed Advent and Christmas to all!