The true meaning of Christmas

*I wrote this one two years ago for my private family blog but it never got to be posted.

(Alternately titled-Do you even know what your celebrating tomorrow?)

I just watched a program about Catholic evangalization on college campuses. The man who founded the program they were talking about said a woman once stood up angry asking why she was 40, had gone to Mass every Sunday, and this was the first time that she was being told that Jesus was God. And I too felt angry at that. Angry that I used to be the person that didn't know or understand. Because for whatever reason my generation was not taught well along with that of my parents but thankfully things are changing. Don't believe me? Take a look at my fifth graders book. No more fluffy feel good Catholicism, let's get down to nitty gritty doctrine. (Ok, I admit, we are also an apathetic generation and I may have not been paying the best attention.) Angry that there are still so many people that don't know, but thankful that I now do know and am able to share what I know with all of you.

I remember once - late high school/early college - my friend asked me why Catholics pray to Mary. Well all I had to come back with was "I don't know". What kind of answer is that? Anyway now I do know - that ans so much more that I can't help but share it with all of you.

So what I am sharing tonight is the true meaning behind the Christmas season. It isn't about presents. (Sure they are nice but even my one little fifth grader gets Christmas is about Jesus's birthday and that's why he likes it. Well... 51% because of that, 49% because of the presents-at least he's honest, though his twin brother tried to get me to see that issue differently.) It isn't about a great holiday feasts and lots of family time. That's nice though. It comes from what our celebration of what it's really all about.

It is about how GOD BECAME MAN! Jesus is God and he came as a tiny baby to grow up and suffer and die for you and me. Each one of us...really, each one of us. He would have come only for you - the reader - or me - the writer. Now if you, like the lady at the beginning of this commentary are just finding this out for the first time I hope you come to believe it. If you've heard it before but haven't really given it much thought, think some more. And if you don't think it matters read this other commentary which goes so much deeper (and better) into why it matters than I ever could. (See sometimes (ok a lot) me (the writer) is the reader learning just like you (hopefully, maybe?) learn from me.) And go ahead and read the commentary if you just want to ponder what it means for Jesus to have had a belly button because that's the angle he takes. Anyway, I enjoyed it and I hope you all do too.

http://www.ccocanada.ca/uploads/theological-reflections/article03.pdf

And that you all have a happy, healthy, and blessed Christmas!