Here we are, with Christmas just one week away. The anticipation is mounting as we try to maintain our holy observance of the final days of Advent while, at the same time, preparing for the more secular celebrations we have adopted, such as buying presents, decorating our homes and preparing for family and feasting.
Every year about this time, I am reminded of the year when I only asked for one gift: a bicycle. I don’t even remember exactly how old I was, somewhere around 7 or 8 or 9, but nothing else was on my mind. I had learned how to ride on my older brother’s bike, and now I was ready for my own.
That Christmas, I remember as presents were handed out and wrapping paper was ripped off, I started to collect quite a pile of gifts. In fact, I specifically remember thinking, “I didn’t get this much stuff last year.” We were not rich, and there were five kids at the time, but my parents always did their best to give us a merry Christmas. I remember I even received an electric football game that boys my age in the mid-1970s loved.
But it wasn’t a bicycle. When all the presents were opened, I specifically remember the huge disappointment I felt. I also knew better than to express it. My parents had been very generous to me, so who was I to be sullen and disappointed? And then my father asked me, “Is something wrong?” Uh-oh. Did I look disappointed? What was wrong with me? How dare I be sad when they had been so good to me. “Nothing, I’m just looking over my gifts.”
“Come with me,” he said. He put his hand on my shoulder and led me upstairs. Oh no, I thought, I’m really going to get it. I’m going to be punished on Christmas for being an ungrateful little wretch. I started to shake and held back tears. I knew I was in for it. He led me into his study, and I braced myself for what was coming, and there was the most beautiful red and gold banana-seat bicycle I had ever seen in my life. I cried all right, glorious tears of childish joy.
Fast forward 50-some years to today. I read the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel, and I realize the true gift of Christmas. Jesus is all we need, and He is all I want, this year and every year. The joy He brings so far exceeds anything a bicycle could do, I almost shudder to think how naïve I was. My parents loved me, but God has loved me so much more, sending his only Son to Earth for us, to be sacrificed for our sins and the Savior of our souls. May we all have that great, intense anticipation that Jesus, this season and always, enter more and more into our hearts. Thank you, dear Father, for the greatest gift of all.
Daily Reading
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Reading I Mi 5:1-4a Thus says the LORD: You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for…
Saint of the Day
Blessed Jacopone da Todi
Jacopone da Todi, “Crazy Jim,” transformed from a worldly man to a devoted Franciscan, known for “Stabat Mater” hymn and spiritual courage.
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