"Beyond Christmas"

During four weeks of Advent we prepared for the birth of Jesus.  Each week found us lighting one more candle, either in Church or our own Advent Wreath.

The first candle is lighted and represents Hope.  It is called the “Prophet’s Candle.”  The second candle is for Faith and is named “Bethlehem’s Candle.”  Our third candle, colored pink or rose, stands for Joy and is known as the “Shepherd’s Candle.”  Candle number four has the name of Angel’s Candle,” and designates “Peace.”  Sometimes an optional candle, colored white symbolizes “Light and Purity,” is lighted on Christmas Day.

Christmas day comes finding us opening the wrapped presents.  Friends are received and children are ecstatic with Santa’s generosity.  We sit down to a large and fulfilling meal, have our goodbyes  and all go home filled with the Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace that should remain all year.  

Is Christmas over?  For some it may be.  Wrap the manger figures, throw out the decorated tree, and prepare for the same old scenario of returning to work the next day.

But Christmas does not end with one day’s celebration.  Just like with marriages; the wedding is one day, but the marriage itself is a lifetime.  So Christmas is one day but the Christmas Season lasts for a lifetime.  We celebrate the season of Christmas until and through the Baptism of Jesus.

At the Baptism of Jesus his response to the baptists reluctance to baptize him was, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”  (Mt. 3: 15).  The waters at the Jordan opened for us an entrance into life with Christ who would be with us to the end of time.

We cannot close the calendar after Christmas day and wait for the next special celebrated feast as if our spiritual journey relies on dates and not the faith we have been endowed with.  

Think very hard about what happened when the water was poured over our head and the words (name) I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.  This is not just a ritual but an entrance into a community of believers.  In case we didn’t know then (as infants we couldn’t know) we were given a responsibility which would later require accountability for this new life.  Our journey would follow that of Jesus.

This is where the words “Beyond Christmas” have an important meaning in the life of each one of us who shares this Sacrament with Jesus.  The task of the Church began with John’s baptizing Jesus and we are given the same task to continue this work of spreading the gospel (Good News).  We shall be held accountable if our responsibility is not taken seriously.  

There are no specific words or actions that might apply to each one in the same manner.  But, as we grow in our faith God’s Grace will guide our actions and the words of the Holy Spirit will be there to show us the way. 

Ralph B. Hathaway, January 2020