Dear St. Rita Families,

            Having the mindset of preparation looks different when you are three weeks away versus when you are three days away – from whatever event or moment you may be anticipating. As you approach an event, the excitement (or dread) grows, and we tend to deal with those emotions in different ways. They are both, I am told, caused by adrenaline in your system, which has as its goal your success. So, whether you feel excitement or dread, your system is telling you something about what you ought to be doing to be ready for the coming moment.

            So, how do you feel about Christmas? Let me rephrase that. How do you feel about the coming of Christ? It is more or less easy to feel feelings other than dread when it comes to the holiday of Christmas, although some people for various reasons have a more difficult time with this holiday. Better for us to imagine something slightly different, since Christmas is more than a nice, annual time with family, presents, and eggnog. So, if you were going to meet Christ face to face tomorrow (or in three days), how would you feel? Would you feel like a student cramming for finals, panicking because he didn’t study at all over the previous semester? Or, would you be interested in engaging the exam because it is material for which you’ve been given ample time to study, and, in fact, you’ve come to love it?

            Now that we are just a few days away from Christmas, the temptation or even need to “get all the things done” is much greater. And, let’s not be naïve: there are a lot of things to do! But let’s also not be short-sighted. Those things are not the essence of the Christmas season. We say it all the time: Jesus is the reason for the season! Keep Christ (and Mass) in Christmas! These aren’t just protest slogans. They are reminders for you and for me to subordinate all the rest of the hustle and bustle to Him. When there is a lot to do, panic easily ensues. When it is all subordinated to Christ, I am given a confidence that that which needs to happen, will happen, even if it’s not everything that I have convinced myself needs to happen. I am also given the motivation to accomplish all of my tasks with a joy and peace, even while moving very quickly, that doesn’t stress me out or those around me.

            In other words, whatever it is I am doing has a meaning, a purpose, and a direction that reminds me and those around me what we are about. For example, I am not just buying or wrapping presents. I am bringing the surprise of God’s generosity and attentiveness to my family or friends. I’m not just decorating a tree. I am adorning an evergreen – a symbol of everlasting life – with the virtues that, God willing, will adorn me throughout all of eternity. I’m not just packing for a trip. I am preparing to bring Christmas – the spectacular joy of God breaking into our dark and broken world – to wherever I plan to visit, like the Apostles and disciples going forth two by two “to every town and place where [Jesus] Himself intended to visit” (Lk 10:1). All it takes is a bit of imagination to think differently about the things that we do every year (and every day). This imagination not only reminds us of the meaning of Christmas in every part of the celebration, but it also can help to create new traditions for your family, little (or big) ways of celebrating the coming of the Christ Child.

            This goal becomes even more important when we remember that we aren’t just preparing for a cute holiday. We are preparing for the moment when we will, in fact, meet Him face to face. We don’t know the day or the hour. We don’t know if it will be sudden (like a pop quiz…or a pop final exam!) or prolonged. We must be ready, regardless. But if all things are subordinated to Christ, and we are engaging in preparation always, then we will in fact be ready. I can ponder and imagine the meaning behind my daily grind, my daily prayer, my daily suffering, all the little and big things that go into every day. Nothing is meaningless anymore. All finds its direction in Jesus. 

            So, there is no more reason for dread. Rather than sinners in the hands of an angry God, we are beloved children of the Most High, disciples (students!) who sit at His feet and learn from Him, apostles sent forth to proclaim the Goodness we have discovered in Him. Notice that this meaning has its basis in the Truth that God has spoken. Fabricated meaning is just that – artificial, useful for a time, but it fails eventually. Meaning that stems from the unchanging Word spoken by God for the redemption of mankind and the conquering of evil – this meaning permeates all things and is readily accessible to you, if only you have a bit of imagination!

            Please know of my prayers for you all during these last few days of Advent and over the course of the whole Christmas season!

In Christ,

Fr. Christensen