Posted by As we begin preparing for Christmas this year, it seems we should focus on questions that need to be asked. We don’t ask enough questions that can’t be answered by media sound bites or another Tweet. In addition, if the questions are too complex for generations of human beings to answer, why are people confident that the manmade artificial intelligence ChatBot, or some other artificial intelligence agent, will even understand the questions.
Keeping in mind that Christians celebrate the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ, at Christmas, what does it mean when we say that Jesus saves us? Jesus is the reason Christians live in hope. If there is hope, there must be hope for something. If we claim we hope for salvation, what is salvation? Is it salvation from something or to something or both? What is being saved? My Body? My Mind? Dare I ask, my soul? If I answer my soul, what is the soul?
These are questions that make us think deeply about what it means to be human. The family dog doesn’t think about these things. The dog may want his next meal, or may want to go out to relieve himself, or to chase uninvited guests away, but not about being saved from, and for, anything.
The theme for this Christmas, based on the homilies for the first Sunday of Advent, is to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, don’t just commemorate His First Coming. To prepare for the Second Coming we must: (1) Believe in Jesus death and resurrection at the First Coming, (2) Believe the Eucharist is the Body of Jesus Christ, not just a ceremonial commemoration of the Last Supper, (3) Believe in the triune God; that Jesus Christ is the Son of God the Father and is one with the Holy Spirit. Failure to embrace all three Truths will make it impossible to celebrate Christmas with those who do believe.
As we prepare to celebrate Jesus Christ, ask Him for the faith to believe and the grace to share that belief with family, friends, and everyone we meet.
Have a Holy Advent, a Blessed Christmas and a Joyful New Year.
Joe Allen 