In an old song Whose Birthday is Christmas by The
Statler Brothers, a little child asked, “Oh daddy just who’s birthday is
Christmas, the Bible says that Jesus was born. Oh daddy please explain, I had
to ask because you hear so much about Santa Clause, Silver bells and ceder
smells don’t tell the story of the virgin and the manger where He lay; festive
drinks and glasses klinks will not make Jesus proud to say that this is His
Birthday”.
To miss the true meaning of
Christmas is the evil which is sought to be avoided by any Christians. Christmas
is not just about giving gifts. It is not just about love. It is the birthday
of Jesus the Christ. Many people during the time of Jesus missed the day he was
born. If they only learned that it was Jesus whom Mary was about to give birth,
they could have offered homage to him. But they had not.
Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew
24: 37-44 said that one must be ready for the Son of man is coming at an hour
he/she does not expect. This is the reason why we Catholics have this so-called
Advent season. We prepare ourselves to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. It is
the birthday of Jesus. What gift then can we give to him? If everything we have
is from God, then what do we have to offer to Jesus who is the Son of God? Well,
the only thing which does not come from God is our sins. We can offer our sins
to him. We can give them up to him. In doing so, we do not miss the meaning of
Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. He was born to save us from our sins. In offering
our sins before him, we accept the salvation he has brought us with his birth.
On this first Sunday of Advent,
may we all have the time to confess our sins as we prepare to celebrate the
birthday of our Lord Jesus. Amen.
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