This episode explores the true meaning of Christmas, the significance of the holiday in the Catholic faith, the rich traditions of the Franciscans, and the various ways in which Christmas is celebrated around the world. It also delves into the symbolism of the Christmas tree and offers suggestions on how to make the holiday more meaningful through acts of kindness and charity. The importance of inclusion and embracing the spirit of Christmas is emphasized.
Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a time to reflect on the love and hope he brought into the world.
The Franciscan Order has a rich tradition of embracing the simplicity and joy of Christmas, particularly through the portrayal of the Nativity scene.
Christmas traditions vary around the world, but they all highlight the common themes of love, joy, and giving.
The Christmas tree symbolizes eternal life and hope, and decorating it together as a family creates lasting memories and strengthens bonds.
To make Christmas more meaningful, spend quality time with loved ones, engage in acts of kindness, and create meaningful traditions.
Incorporating acts of kindness and charity into Christmas celebrations helps to spread the true spirit of the holiday.
It is important to be inclusive and considerate of those for whom Christmas may be a sad or lonely time.
Embracing the love, joy, and hope of the Christmas season can have a transformative impact on our lives and the lives of others.
Hi everybody and welcome to our walk together. I'm glad you could find some time to walk with me today. Here we are at Christmas. Christmas is a beautiful, beautiful time of the year for many of us. Christmas is a time of joy and love and celebration. It's a season that brings families and communities together and reminds us of the importance of faith and tradition and the spirit of giving. In this episode.
I want to explore the true meaning of Christmas, the significance of this holiday in the Catholic faith, the rich traditions of the Franciscans, and the various ways in which Christmas is celebrated around the world. We'll also delve into the symbolism of the Christmas tree, the history of it, and we'll talk about it a little bit more about ways that we can make this holiday more meaningful and highlight the importance of incorporating acts of kindness and charity during the Christmas season. So let's embark on a spirit of journey of embracing the joy and the spirit of Christmas.
You know, Christmas is more than just a day on the calendar. It's a celebration, a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It's a time to reflect on the love and the hope that he brought into this world. The true meaning of Christmas lies in the message of salvation and the redemption that Jesus's birth represents. As Christians, we're reminded of this profound significance through scriptural references to Christmas.
The gospels of Matthew and Luke narrate for us the story of the nativity and how many times if we heard that story before, providing us with a glimpse, just a little glimpse, into the humble beginnings of Jesus. And that's important because God became man and God became a little helpless child. Think about the significance of that for a minute. Passages, these passages in the scriptures, remind us of the miraculous birth, the visitation of the shepherds, and the wise men, and the angelic proclamation of peace on earth. By meditating on these sacred texts, we can deepen our understanding of the true meaning of Christmas and its transformative power in our lives.
For Christians, Christmas holds a special place in the religious calendar. It's a time when all of us come together, the faithful all come together to commemorate the birth of Jesus and to celebrate his presence, not the past, but his presence in their lives. The church offers a rich array of traditions and rituals that enhance the spiritual experience of Christians. One that many of us remember, many still participate in, is the celebration of the Mass at midnight. Though today I hear that not many happen at midnight, they happen before that, but I can remember the Mass being right at midnight. It was the Christmas vigil, the Christmas Eve Mass. And it marked the beginning of Christmas Day, because all of a sudden we would hear the choirs and all the songs and the celebration. And it allowed us all to participate in the Eucharistic celebration in honor of Jesus' birth. That mass, and most of them on Christmas, are accompanied by beautiful carols and hymns that uplift the spirit and create a sense of unity among the worshipers.
The Franciscan Order, founded by Saint Francis of Assisi, has a rich tradition of embracing the simplicity and the joy of Christmas. Saint Francis, known for his love of nature and deep spirituality, sought to bring the message of Christmas to life through his actions and his teachings.
One of the most well-known Franciscan traditions is the portrayal of the Nativity scene. It's kind of where it started, or what some people call the crush. St. Francis was inspired by his visit to the Holy Land, and he wanted to recreate the scene of Jesus' birth in a tangible and relatable way. He believed that while visualizing the humble setting of the Nativity, people would be moved, reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and the significance of Jesus' birth.
We read about that in St. Bonaventure's life of St. Francis. And let me read to you what Bonaventure says about this time at Greccio:
“It happened in the third year before his death that he decided in order to arouse devotion to celebrate at Greccio with the greatest possible solemnity, the memory of the birth of the child Jesus. So that this would not be considered a type of novelty, he petitioned for and obtained permission from the Supreme Pontiff. He had a crib prepared and he had hay carried in and an ox and an ass led into the place. And all the friars were summoned from wherever they were. And the people came and the forest resounds with their voices. And the venerable night is rendered brilliant and solemn by a multitude of bright lights and the resonant and harmonious hymns of praise. Just imagine that scene.
The man of God stands before the crib, filled with affection, bathed in tears and overflowing with joy. A solemn mass is celebrated over the crib.
and with Francis as the deacon, and he was chanting the holy gospel. And then he preaches to the people standing about concerning the birth of the poor king, whom when he wished to name him, he called in his tender love the child of Bethlehem.
A certain and virtuous and truthful knight, Saint John of Greccio, Sir John, excuse me, Sir John of Greccio, who had abandoned worldly military activity out of love of Christ and had become an intimate friend of the man of God, claimed that he saw a beautiful little boy asleep in the crib and that the Blessed Father, Francis, embraced it in both of his arms, and seemed to wake it from its sleep.”
What a wonderful, wonderful picture that is. Just imagine, Francis was so involved in so much part of celebrating and understanding the fact that in Jesus, God becomes man, becomes one of us. And in many ways, Francis believed Christmas was the most important holiday of the entire year. Today, the creche is a cherished tradition in many households and churches around the world. It serves as a reminder of the simplicity and the humility of Jesus' birth and encourages us to approach Christmas with a childlike wonder and awe. The Franciscan traditions of Christmas remind us to embrace the joy, the love, and simplicity that this season represents.
While Christmas is celebrated universally, each country and culture has its own little unique traditions and customs. And these traditions not only reflect the cultural diversity of the world, but also highlight the common themes of love, joy, and giving that unite us all during this special time of the year.
In Germany, the Advent season is marked by the lighting of candles with an Advent wreath. Each candle symbolizes a different aspect of the Christmas story and is lit on successive Sundays, leading up to Christmas. The Germans also have the tradition of decorating their Christmas trees with handmade ornaments and edible treats.
In Mexico, the celebration of Christmas begins with the posadas and a reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for shelter. How beautiful that must be to watch. Theposadas involves processions, prayers, and festive gatherings where participants go from house to house singing carols and seeking lodging. On Christmas Eve, the families come together for a midnight feast and breaking of pinatas filled with sweets and small toys.
In Sweden, the celebration of Christmas is deeply rooted in the tradition and folklore. One of the most beloved customs is the St. Lucia Day, which takes place on December 13th. Young girls dress in white robes with candle-lit wreaths on their heads, and they process through the streets singing traditional songs. The celebration marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Sweden.
And these are just a few of the traditions that exist throughout the world. But all of them serve as a reminder that regardless of our differences, the spirit of Christmas transcends borders and brings people together in celebration and joy.
The Christmas tree has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday season. Its origins, however, can be traced back to pagan rituals that celebrated the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun. If you think about it, at this time of year, the sun here, the days get shorter and shorter and shorter. And you can imagine people wondering what's going on, our sun is going away. And then with the lighting of candles, and they begin to realize that the days are slowly getting longer and longer and sort of a rebirth. But it was not until the 16th century in Germany that the modern tradition of decorating trees for Christmas began. It was Martin Luther who's credited with introducing the tradition of bringing evergreen trees into the home and decorating them with candles. He was inspired by the beauty of the starry sky one winter evening, and he wanted to recreate the scene for his family. And thus the Christmas tree, as we know it today, was born.
The Christmas tree holds deep symbolization for many people. Its evergreen nature represents the eternal life and hope that Jesus brings. The lights and the ornaments adorning the tree symbolize the joy and the beauty of the season. The act of decorating the tree together as a family creates lasting memories and strengthens the bond between loved ones. Many of us have have ornaments that we place on the tree, which have been around for a long time in our families. And each year we get together and we're able to tell the story of where those came from and what those ornaments are all about, continuing our family history.
In the midst of the hustle and the bustle of all this holiday season, it's important for us to remember the true essence of Christmas and find ways to make it more meaningful for us. Here's a couple suggestions.
Spend some quality time with your loved ones. Instead of getting caught up in the materialistic pursuits and prioritize spending time with family and friends plan activities and outings that promote togetherness and create lasting memories. We can also engage in acts of kindness. How important is that? Christmas is a time of giving and there are countless ways to spread kindness and make a positive impact. Volunteer at a local charity, donate to those in need or simply reach out to someone who may be feeling lonely during this time.
I can remember many years ago, I had the opportunity for a few days to be Santa Claus, the Santa Claus figure, and the kids would come up and be asking for toys and things that they wanted. And as they asked for everything, and Santa would say, well, we'll see what we can do. But then I always asked them, I said, but you have to do a favor for me. And they'd look at me, strange. Santa wants me to do something for him. And I said, yes. I want you to do between now and Christmas Eve, do something nice for someone else. That's all he asks. Do something nice for someone else. Doesn't matter what it is, it doesn't matter who it is, but do something nice for someone else. And then I'd make them promise that they were going to do that. Lots of smiles and lots of comments from parents of, wow, we never heard that before. It was great.
Create some meaningful traditions. Establish your own family traditions that reflect the values and the beliefs that are important to you. Whether it's baking cookies together, reading Christmas stories, or participating in a service project, these particular traditions will become cherished memories in years to come. In my family, we have one that we started quite some time ago, a very long time ago, when my daughter was very little, and it had been happening before us. But on Christmas morning, before she would be able to come downstairs to see what Santa had left for her, she had to sit on the stairs at the top of the stairs, waiting, and as she waited, she had to sing a Christmas carol. How simple is that? Sit there for a little bit, sing a Christmas carol, and then you can come down.and see all the things that you've been given. Well, it always makes my heart happy when I see that not only did we do that, but she did that with her own children. And now her children's daughter, her daughter's daughter, they do the same thing. They sit at the head of the stairs, they sing a Christmas carol, and then they can come down.
By infusing some of these simple yet powerful practices into your Christmas celebrations, we can all ensure that the holiday season is truly meaningful and transformative. The joy of Christmas is magnified when shared with our loved ones. Gathering together with family and friends creates a sense of warmth, love, and belonging that's unique to this time of year. Here's a few more ideas to enhance your Christmas celebrations. Hold a festive gathering. decorations, and joyful music. Create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages conversation, laughter, and shared memories. You could organize a gift exchange. Instead of focusing solely on material gifts, consider organizing a gift exchange that emphasizes thoughtfulness personal connection. Set a budget that encourages participants to choose gifts that truly reflect the participant's interests, their passions, and the things that are important to them.
We could share a meal. Christmas is often synonymous with a bountiful feast. Plan a special Christmas dinner where everyone can contribute a dish or have a family recipe, a favorite family recipe. It's not only eases the burden on the host, but also creates a sense of shared responsibility and unity. Everybody brings something to share. Remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in the love and the connection we share with one another. By celebrating with family and friends, we honor the joy and togetherness that this season represents.
The Christmas season presents a unique opportunity to extend acts of kindness and charity to those in need. This time of year, it seems like they're everywhere, things that we could possibly do. The spirit of given becomes even more meaningful when we reach out to those who are less fortunate. Here's a couple of ways we can incorporate acts of kindness and charity into our Christmas celebrations.
We could donate to a local charity, research local charities or organizations that align with your values, and make donations in their name. Consider donating food, clothing, or toys to help those who are struggling during the holiday season. You could volunteer your time. Many organizations rely on volunteers during the Christmas season and throughout the whole year to distribute meals, organize toy drives, or visit nursing homes and other hospitals. Dedicate some of your time to these efforts and experience the joy that comes from serving others.
One thing we also don't think about when we're considering Christmas is, support small businesses. When we're doing shopping for Christmas and gifts, consider going to the small businesses that are in our area. Consider supporting them in your community by purchasing locally made products or utilizing local services. We contribute to the vitality and the growth of our community.
Remember acts of kindness and charity are not limited to material gifts. A smile, a kind word or a listening ear can brighten someone's day and make a lasting impact. By encouraging these acts, we embrace the true essence of the Christmas holiday. In addition to all of that, we should also be mindful of those for whom Christmas is a sad or alone time, rather than a joyous thing. Always keep them in mind, and maybe some of the above ideas will help them feel included. But remember, even a smile is important.
Something else to remember. And this was something that was brought to my attention not too long ago. Many times people criticize other people for saying things like happy holidays. They say, ah, they shouldn't be saying happy holidays. They should be saying Merry Christmas. But let's not be too quick to judge. There are at least 14 religious holidays at this time of year from various religions. It seems to me that Happy holidays is a fine thing to say. Think about it.
In conclusion.
Christmas is a time to embrace the love and joy and spirit of the season. By exploring the true meaning of Christmas, understanding the significance of this holiday in our faith and in our families, we gain a deeper understanding of this transformative power of Christmas. We also discovered the rich diversity of Christmas traditions around the world and the history and symbolism of the Christmas tree by making Christmas more meaningful through acts of kindness, celebrating with families and friends, and incorporating acts of charity, we honor the true essence of Christmas. And so, as we embark on this magical season, let us remember the joy, love, and hope that Christmas brings. And like the lesson learned by old Mr. Ebeneezer Scrooge, May we carry the spirit of Christmas in our hearts throughout the year, spreading kindness, love, and goodwill to all
To all blessings during this holiday season.