A Christmas Tree, a Funeral Visitation, and a Birth: a Reflection for the Fourth Sunday in Advent
by Thom Chartier, OblOSB
Isaiah 7:10-14
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-24
In The Catholic Prayer Bible, Lectio Divina Edition, a brief reflection on the first reading for this Sunday says, “Faith means absolute trust in and dependence upon God.” For the second reading, “Paul defends his gospel of grace and faith as the foundation for life obedience to God’s law.” And for the third reading, “All are welcome in the family of God.”
As I thought about this reflection, my mind kept going back to a Christmas when I was still with Cheri, my first wife, whom we later sadly lost to death. Our children were still young, we were grieving the loss of our daughter Karri, and Christmas made that loss all the more poignant. I had been laid off from the railroad and Cheri was working as a CNA. Money was tight: we could pay the rent and utilities and buy groceries, but that left nothing to spare. We decided to forgo a Christmas tree, a luxury we could not afford, and concentrated on buying a few presents for the kids. It would just have to do.
One week prior to that Christmas, I was returning home late at night from somewhere I don’t recall, and low and behold, there in the middle of the road was a perfect little Christmas tree. I stopped in amazement, picked it up, put it in the trunk of my car and drove home. I can still see the excitement and smiles on our children’s faces. Cheri gave her little nod of ‘delightment’ which always gave comfort to me.
Many years later Cheri died. As our family was planning her funeral, Martha, our youngest daughter, suggested we play Christmas music during her visitation. It was March, but that was a grand idea. Cheri loved Christmas music: for her, it was the most wonderful time of year.
As I reflect on these past events in my life, I realize that forgoing a Christmas tree is not all that life-changing. My faith isn’t in a tree. It is in “the absolute trust in and dependence upon God” to provide all that I need. When I did that fifteen years ago, God blessed me with Stephanie, my second wife. On Christmas Eve and Day, we invite our family, friends, and neighbors into our home. We gather around the Christmas tree and celebrate our Savior’s birth when “all are welcome in the family of God.” On Christmas Eve I love listening to O Holy Night and on Christmas Day, Joy to the World. It reminds of Cheri’s little nod of ‘delightment.’ But more importantly, I want to believe that God is nodding in ‘delightment’ because we are celebrating the birth of Christ. I now know that my daughter Karri and wife Cheri, like us, are born again to never die.
So, at this most wonderful time of the year, I will listen to the ear of my heart and live the “gospel of grace and faith as the foundation for life obedience to God’s law.” As I see the image in Psalm 23 of the shepherd caring for his sheep, I have belief and faith in God who is loving and will always tend to his flock.
Merry Christmas, sisters and brothers, and to all a good night!
Isaiah 7:10-14
The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying:
Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;
let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!
But Ahaz answered,
“I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!”
Then Isaiah said:
Listen, O house of David!
Is it not enough for you to weary people,
must you also weary my God?
Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:
the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel.
Romans 1:1-7
Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus,
called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God,
which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh,
but established as Son of God in power
according to the Spirit of holiness
through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him we have received the grace of apostleship,
to bring about the obedience of faith,
for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles,
among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ;
to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 1:18-24
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.