Merry Christmas Season

by David Lins  |  01/01/2023  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Merry Christmas Season everyone! It’s the first Sunday of the New Year! It’s a time of resolutions. It’s a time to avoid the bathroom scale. And it’s often a time for change.

Toward the beginning of the second chapter of Matthew, Herod cuts a deal with the Magi. The are to search for the baby Jesus and report back to him. Nowhere in Scripture does it say they refused.

Then, they went on to find the Lord. They prostrated themselves and gave him homage. Furthermore, they gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Finally, they had a dream and realized they shouldn’t follow through on what they had begun. Instead of returning to Herod, they returned to their country by another way.

I fear that sometimes we start down paths in our life, thinking we have made a good decision, only to realize the error of our ways. And yet… it is so difficult to change course. The Magi make it clear: it isn’t too late. We cannot let embarrassment, pride, or discouragement keep us from altering our course.

It is a new calendar year. Things don’t have to be as they have always been. We can turn off the television and talk to our spouse. We can stop scrolling on our phones and start calling loved ones. We can stop drinking to avoid sorrows and begin praying for the strength to face them. We can stop hoarding our blessing and find the joy of generosity. We can stop living double lives and live without secrets. We can be who God made us to be. Confession is a great place to start.

You have my prayer for a glorious 2023!

David is recovering from back surgery. This article is a reprint of his bulletin column from Jan 6, 2019.