The Gift of Love Made Flesh

 

Last night at the Christmas Vigil at St. Vincent de Paul in Wildwood, our priest reminded us of something beautiful and challenging: we need to empty our hearts and invite Jesus in. We need to let go of the things that are burdening us to make room for Him.

On this holy Christmas morning, we celebrate the most profound truth of our faith: God loved us so much that He became one of us.

In that humble stable in Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, infinite Love took on human flesh. The Creator of the universe made Himself vulnerable, small, dependent—all for love of you and me.

Jesus didn't arrive in royal splendor or overwhelming power. He came as a baby, inviting us to draw near without fear. This is the heart of Christmas: God's love isn't distant or abstract. It's intimate, tender, and personal.

But here's the beautiful paradox: just as Mary and Joseph found no room in the inn, we sometimes fill our hearts so full of worries, regrets, and burdens that there's no room for the Christ Child. Jesus knocks gently at the door of our hearts, but He won't force His way in. He waits for us to clear the clutter, to release what weighs us down, to make space for His love.

Today, as we gaze upon the Christ Child, we see Love gazing back at us. Every cry from that manger whispers, "I came for you." Every breath He takes proclaims, "You are worth dying for." The Son of God left heaven's glory because He wanted to be with us—to share our joys, our struggles, our very humanity.

This Christmas, let's receive the gift He offers: Himself. Jesus doesn't just love humanity in general—He loves you specifically, completely, eternally. He knows your name, your heart, your deepest longings.

What burdens are you carrying today? What worries, fears, or regrets need to be released? The infant Jesus stretches out His tiny hands to receive them all. Empty your heart and invite Him in.

As the angels sang "Glory to God in the highest," they announced peace to those whom God loves. That's us. That's you.

This Christmas Day, may you feel the warmth of God's love surrounding you like those swaddling clothes embraced the infant Jesus. May you know, deep in your soul, that you are God's beloved.

Merry Christmas! Emmanuel—God is with us!

Gratitude This Thanksgiving

 

        As we gather around tables laden with abundance this Thursday, Thanksgiving offers us a beautiful opportunity to pause and reflect on the deep wells of gratitude that flow through our Catholic faith. This uniquely American holiday resonates profoundly with the very heart of our spiritual tradition—the Eucharist itself, whose name means "thanksgiving."

The Eucharist: Our Ultimate Thanksgiving

Every time we participate in the Holy Mass, we engage in the ultimate act of thanksgiving. The Eucharist is not merely a ritual but our response to God's infinite love—a love made manifest in the Incarnation, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we approach the altar to receive our Lord in Holy Communion, we echo the sentiment that should fill our hearts this Thanksgiving: profound gratitude for gifts we could never deserve or earn on our own.

Saint Paul reminds us, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). This isn't a call to be thankful only when life is easy, but to cultivate a spirit of gratitude that endures through both abundance and trial.

Counting Our Blessings

As Catholics, we're called to see our blessings through the lens of faith:

Family and Community: The domestic church of our families mirrors the unity of the Holy Trinity. Even imperfect and sometimes challenging, our families are schools of love where we learn to give of ourselves as Christ gave Himself for us.

Daily Bread: When we pray the Our Father, we ask for our "daily bread"—not luxury, not excess, but what we need for today. Thanksgiving reminds us that every meal, every provision, comes from the generous hand of our Father in heaven.

Trials and Growth: Our faith teaches us that even our crosses can be sources of thanksgiving when we unite them with Christ's suffering. The difficulties that have shaped us into who we are today—these too are gifts that have drawn us closer to God.

The Communion of Saints: We're never alone. We give thanks for the great cloud of witnesses who intercede for us, for the example of the saints who have gone before us, and for the universal Church that connects us across time and space.

Living the Eucharist Every Day

In a homily Pope Francis delivered in 2013, he reminded us that "a Eucharistic life is one of thanksgiving, not of complaining." How might we carry the spirit of Thanksgiving beyond this one day?

• Begin each morning with a prayer of gratitude, offering the day to God
• Practice the examen each evening, recognizing God's presence in the day's moments
• Say grace before meals with intention, not merely habit
• Keep a gratitude journal, noting three blessings each day
• Share your abundance generously with those in need

A Prayer for Thanksgiving

Gracious and loving Father, we come before You with hearts overflowing with thanksgiving. Thank You for the gift of faith, for the Church that guides us, for the sacraments that nourish us, and especially for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave everything for our salvation.

Bless the food we share, the families we gather with, and the memories we create. Please help us be mindful of those who suffer, are lonely, or lack the necessities of life. Make us instruments of Your generosity.

May the gratitude we feel on this day overflow into every day of our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

An Invitation to Grateful Living

This Thanksgiving, as we give thanks for turkey and traditions, let's remember to give our deepest thanks for the greatest gift: God's love poured out for us in Christ Jesus. May our celebration be a foretaste of that heavenly banquet where we will give thanks and praise forever.

What are you most grateful for this Thanksgiving? How has your Catholic faith shaped your understanding of gratitude? I invite you to share your reflections in the comments below.

Happy Thanksgiving! May God bless you and yours abundantly.