Inspiration
Scripture References: Numbers 6: 22-27, Galatians 4: 4-7, Luke 2: 16-21
Did you ever notice how certain events that occur during the holiday season inspire one's memory? One of the events that inspired my memory this holiday season was the movie "A Christmas Story". The story line of the movie is about a young boy who wants a Daisy Red Ryder b-b gun for Christmas and the trials and tribulations he endures; until Christmas morning when he receives the desired gift.
This movie stirred my memory back to a specific Christmas of my childhood when I too wanted a Daisy Red Ryder b-b gun for Christmas. Like the young boy in the movie I too realized my dream and received the desired gift on Christmas morning. A few days later during Christmas vacation, myself and a neighborhood friend, went to a field behind my house to try out my newest acquisition. During the "try-out" My friend was shot in the foot and blamed it on me. He then ran to my house and told my father that I had shot him ..on purpose.
My father was angry. He had issued instructions that I was not to shoot at anything that was living. So, my father took my precious gift away for "two weeks". I was devastated...and being innocent of the crime. Thoughts of revenge filled my mind.
When school commenced once again. I waited for my so called "friend" at the corner grocery store where myself and others would gather every day before the school bell rang. When my "friend" arrived I tackled him on the store steps and a brief scuffle ensued. The store owner, observed what was happening, grabbed us both, broke up the scuffle and sent us off to school and told us both that he was going to report us to our parents.
That day when I arrived home from school my mother was waiting for me on the front steps of our house. I knew that I was in a lot of trouble. Then she began to speak to me and she never raised her voice. And, to my amazement, she said that she had not informed my father of my scuffle in the grocery store and would not tell him if I would agree to conduct myself in a proper manner. Also, if I would make an effort to reconcile with my "friend" I might even get my precious Christmas gift back a week early.
I was grateful..to say the least. But, I was also curious as to why I wasn't punished more severely. So, I thanked my mother very profusely for her kindness and asked what I could do to deserve such fair treatment. Very calmly my mother explained that it was a New Year and a time for a new beginning and new behavior..on my part. Needless to say. I was quick to agree and also equally quick to amend my life and my behavior.
Most of us, every January, will make so called "New Year's Resolutions" to amend portions of our lives that need a new beginning. Or, perhaps it is a behavior that we need to exclude from our daily routine. But, there seems to be something about "The New Year" that encourages us to consider changes in our lives.
Perhaps it is because our scripture of today is so full of joy ...and change.. and calls to us. to celebrate a new life in God. The first reading from Numbers instructs Moses to invoke God's name to the Israelites and they would receive His blessing. In St. Paul's letter to the Galatians he reminds us that the reason for Christ's birth is to transform us from the status of "slaves" to "heirs" of the Kingdom. We the chosen "heirs" of the kingdom, accept this great gift in wonder and amazement. The same wonder and amazement the shepherds experienced that glorious night so very long ago.
Perhaps it is this sense of wonder and amazement which inspires us to make amends, seek reconciliation and alter our behavior as this new year commences.
I have often noticed that most so called "New Year's Resolutions" are very negative in their make up. Perhaps we might consider concentrating on ways to celebrate the great gift we have received rather than enhancing our very noticeable deficiency in character.
Some suggestions:
- worry less and enjoy God's peace.
- Laugh more and complain less.
- Experience joy by serving others needs.
- Share the "good news" of the Gospel message to all we meet and greet in our lives.
- Most of all: love our neighbors and our brothers and sisters, in Christ as much as we love ourselves.
(Comments to Deacon Ron at deke@WILLINET.NET .)