An Advent Message from Bishop Barber

Listen, act and share on the journey to Christmas
By Most Rev. Michael C. Barber, SJ

Dear Friends,

The Mystery of Advent and Christmas has the power to console us in the midst of our current difficulties. God never sends us trials without giving us hope and support. If you are having a “Blue Christmas,” feeling down, isolated, as if the joy of the holiday eludes you ... I have a suggestion.

1. Listen.
The Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and had a conversation with her. Mary must have been silent, or praying, in a place of quiet receptivity, so she could hear what the Angel had to tell her. The Church Fathers say that Mary “conceived through her ear” -- through her hearing. You, too, can experience Christ through hearing. I suggest that you set aside a private time or place. I prefer early morning or evening, when it is dark outside and my room is lit only by the lights on my Christmas tree. Then set up your music: Google “Advent Lessons and Carols from King's College” or “Christmas Lessons and Carols.” (It’s also on Pandora, Spotify and YouTube.) Then listen as some of the finest music ever written celebrates The Mystery of the Incarnation, interspersed with passages from the Old and New Testament. It is like having a fantastic private retreat. Once you have encountered The Mystery, go to step two.

2. Act.
As soon as the Angel had departed, Mary acted. She went in haste to the hill country to take care of her elderly cousin Elizabeth, who was six months pregnant. Mary acted on the Word of God. The phone company AT&T had a great ad to encourage us to make more long-distance phone calls with its “Reach out and touch someone” campaign. Cardinal Newman says, “The essence of faith is to look out of yourself.” Call a friend or relative. Write a letter or Christmas card. For you youngsters: TEXT. Reach out and express some affection to someone who means something to you. Or someone you have neglected who needs your support. Just do it. The act of giving is its own reward. Support a charity, your parish or a Catholic school. Even if your kindness is not immediately reciprocated, it makes it all the more real and pure. Act out of love, not because of what you may get back.

The more you immerse yourself in The Mystery, the more the Holy Spirit will inspire you how to act on it.

3. Share.
Share the joy you get from encountering The Mystery of Christ. Say “Merry Christmas” to the cashier at Safeway. Invite a friend who is lonely to join you for Mass, or to help at the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry or soup kitchen. Invite someone for a coffee or drink, or just to take a walk and get out of the house. Small things mean so much at this time. I realize people may hesitate to meet up in person given the virus, but we can use all the electronic and human means at our disposal to share the joy of Christ's birth.

St. Irenaeus said, “How shall man pass into God, unless God has first passed into man.” Do as Mary did. Let the Word of God become fruitful in you. Let God become incarnated in you, through listening to His Word, through Baptism, through reception of Holy Communion, through immersion into the Holy Spirit in Confirmation, through the cleansing mercy of the sacrament of Reconciliation. Then, like Mary, act on The Mystery, and share it.

Merry Christmas, my brothers and sisters.