“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling
[pitched his tent] among us” – Jn 1:14
The most memorable and meaningful Christmas celebrations for me
have been with my family and God’s poor. In 1996 with ethnic minorities in
Central Vietnam. In 2010 with indigenous people in the remote mountain villages
of Tanudan, Northern Philippines. In the
past three years with kids at Dorothy Kirby Juvenile
Detention Center in Los Angeles. Last year with my family soon after the death
of my young cousin Thy and just before my parents’ 50th Anniversary.
The common denominator seems to be about
first loves: my first love, my family; and God’s first love, the poor and
marginalized. From my family, I learned about the nearness of acceptance,
forgiveness, faith, believing in and empowering in each other to grow through
joys and struggles. From those on the margins of society, I learned about God’s
consistent presence and sacrificing love. In 1996, I celebrated Mass with some
underground catechists in training so they can return to witness and pass on
the faith among their people. They did so at the cost of imprisonment, for it
is illegal under Communist Vietnam to proselytize. When asked why they would
take such risks, they replied consistently: “We cannot but proclaim a God who
is willing to come and be with us, to love and help us.”
Each Christmas, we celebrate the love of a God who humbly
became human like us. Jesus, Word of God, Who is God, became one of us. He “pitches
his tent” next to ours, lived among us, ate like us, suffered with us, for us,
to save us. He came as a child, a poor child, born in a humble manger, into a
poor family. To serve and give his life because he loves us. He wants to make
us God’s home, God’s favorite hiding place. Like people who love – crazy in
love - God wants to be one with us, very near to us, tenderly.
What’s amazing is that while making us his favorite hiding place,
Jesus makes God his favorite resting place. He is “at the Father’s side,” literally, “at the
breast” or “bosom”—an image of abiding intimacy (Jn 1:18). Their intimacy is
fruitful; their love goes out, giving birth to all that lives. From the crib to
the cross, this self-emptying love pours forth through families and people on
the frontiers.
As we celebrate Christmas, let us rest at home (and in the bosom
of God). Let us also “pitch our tent” with the most vulnerable and needy. Listen
to the Urbi
et Orbi message of our brother Francis and consider concrete way to reach
out to our sisters and brothers in South Sudan, Syria, Philippines. May Christ’s
peace and joy be with you and your families!
Jesus,
help us celebrate your coming-near with our and your first loves.
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