December 20, 2021
Editor’s note: This reflection was originally published on Fr. Mark-David’s Facebook page.
Christmas happens this week
and there is not much time left
For waiting, anticipating or planning.
How many more words of inspiration
can you need or want at this point?
Nevertheless,
the scriptures have some for you.
They come in the exchange
between Elizabeth and Mary.
Elizabeth is an elderly woman,
miraculously pregnant
Six months pregnant in fact.
Elderly, uncomfortable and very pregnant
Elizabeth hears she is to be visited
by her 13-14 year old cousin,
who is also pregnant,
miraculously, she insists.
She is coming to visit Elizabeth
for three months.
This is just what
every elderly pregnant woman wants:
A three month visit
from a pregnant 13 year old relative.
Can’t you just imagine the “Yippie”
Elizabeth shouts when she hears this?
However, Elizabeth,
is not an ordinary woman,
Nor is Mary an ordinary visitor,
And theirs are not ordinary pregnancies.
These are women who believe
that God is active in their lives;
Women who believe God
is part of ordinary life, ordinary events,
Like birth, like death.
“Who am I
that the mother of my Lord
should come to me”
This is how Elizabeth welcomes her house guest:
As someone who carries within her womb
the presence of her Lord.
Christmas is a time for visitors and visiting.
Sometimes we visit,
sometimes we are visited.
Some visitors we see only at Christmas
For which we are very grateful.
We only invited them
because we thought they wouldn’t come.
Some visitors are a sight for sore eyes,
the life of the party,
Uncles and Aunts
who like Drosselmeyer of the Nutcracker
make the most amazing things happen.
Some are the children and grandchildren
for whom we have been waiting
with more anticipation
than we have for Christmas itself.
Some visitors are unexpected,
surprisingly helpful,
Some, end up as in-laws.
Sometimes we are the visitors.
Visiting is a skill,
Knowing what to say and what not to say,
Taking care to talk neither too little
and certainly not talking too much;
Knowing where to sit,
what place at table is yours
and which is already claimed;
How to be comfortable but not intrude;
Observing with interest but never criticizing
The bizarre local customs of the house.
Sometimes we visitors
are constantly thinking of just how soon
we can politely make our escape;
and sometimes we are so much more
loved, appreciated, happy
where we visit than we are at home
we cannot bear to head for the door.
Overstaying our welcome
seems a less grievous sin
Than returning
to the dark place where we belong.
Sometimes visitors and visiting
are only Christmas memories:
Events from the past
that cannot be repeated in the present.
We can no longer go and others no longer come,
But we remember it all,
Sometimes fondly,
sometimes with sadness.
“Who am I
that the mother of my Lord
should come to me”
Rejoices Elizabeth.
Who am I that my Lord comes to me in another?
Who am I to bring the Lord to others?
Who are we?
We are not ordinary people either.
We are people like Mary and Elizabeth
People who believe
that God is active in life, in our lives.
We are people who believe
That the word spoken to us by the Lord
would be fulfilled.
People who believe
that since God has already come in Jesus’ flesh.
God can now come in our flesh.
We are people who believe
That it is our mission
to give birth to the presence of God;
Our mission
is to bring God to all those we visit;
Our mission
to welcome God’s presence in all who visit us.
Throughout this week
and through all the twelve days of Christmas
you will visit, or be visited
or remember visits long passed.
In all that coming and the going this week
And in all the longing and memories
of visits long ago,
I can only promise you this:
Christ will be there.
Christ will be there
for us to bring, and for us to receive.
Even in the absence of people to visit
or people to visit us
Christ will visit us in our hearts.
The last Advent message
The last words of inspiration
The last words of encouragement
we receive this year
Come from old Elizabeth:
“Blessed are you who believe
that the word spoken to you by God
will be fulfilled!”
Amenn
Paulist Fr. Mark David Janus is president of Paulist Press.