-
December 11, 2022Dear Parishioners,
You may have noticed a ring of Christmas trees around the statue of our patroness. Our parish school, religious education program, and youth group organized a Christmas tree decorating event this past Friday. Each tree is decorated by a different grade or group. I want to thank everyone involved who helped organize this event, provide a beautiful decoration for our parish, and for bringing the community together.
Typically, under Christmas trees we place gifts. Why do we give gifts at Christmas time? During the Advent season Americans will spend billions of dollars on Christmas gifts. A plethora of electronics, clothing, and knick-knacks will make it under the spruce, pine, or fir tree during this season. It is an interesting tradition that we take for granted (would it be a good Christmas if there were no presents under the tree?). It is a tradition that may be traced to the account of the three Magi in the Gospel of Matthew who brought their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (each representing a different facet of Christ as savior).
It is no doubt great to give and receive gifts; to anxiously watch as a gift you gave is opened and (hopefully) the expression of joy comes upon the face of the receiver. It is a wonderful opportunity to be selfless and to show love for another. It was always difficult for me to go to bed as a child on Christmas Eve, since I was so anxious to open presents. There is, however, the danger of gift giving for the wrong reasons. There could be the thought that if there are not enough gifts under the tree then the person (or parent) has failed to provide. In some cases, a gift can substitute for expressing true affection and gratitude toward another. Or it can contribute to an unhealthy attachment to things in this life, rather than the healthy use of them. One of the more dangerous attitudes surrounding gift giving is entitlement (i.e. “I deserve this gift.”).
A gift is something given freely and undeservedly. Gift giving is based on God’s own gift to us of salvation, when He came down from heaven. So that when we give gifts to each other, we imitate God’s act of free and undeserved love toward us on that night He came down to earth.
God bless,
Fr. Barrow
