Emmanuel

"Oh, come, oh come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear", our Advent song pleads. We invite the Lord of Lords into our hearts, begging the Almighty to free us from our sinfulness and receive us back from our dark exile into His family once more.

As we know from the Christmas story, however, there often isn't much room for Jesus when He does arrive. Human hearts collect all sorts of things which crowd out Our Lord. Charming TV specials abound at this time of the year. Do we really have to see them all? Or do we need to spend more quiet time chatting with the One who can make us happy forever? Then there are gifts, cards, cookies, decorations, invitations, and parties to attend. Mom and Dad can become quite irritable from lack of sleep and from trying to do too many things at once. When is anybody praying and preparing room for the One who is coming?

The children, too, become very focused on what they will get for Christmas. From the moment they write their letter to Santa in early December they have their hearts set on the toys and games that they have selected. On Christmas Day they race to open their gifts, expecting to receive certain things. When they meet an adult they eagerly await the question, "What did Santa bring you?" If the adult fails to ask they describe their presents anyway. Later on, the older children compare their presents with the gifts of their friends. It's important to them that they have received gifts at least as good as those of their friends. Where is Jesus in all this? Left in the religious education classroom, perhaps, or in the church after Mass.

We go through this routine so often during our lives that many of us just shrug our shoulders, get along, and go along. "It's just that way," we say, "nothing can be done." Actually there's much that can be done. Mom and Dad can leave the office party in time to get enough sleep. Some people send cards and letters after Christmas when there's more time to write. TV specials can be planned and limited, maybe even eliminated for those who have seen them before. There can be more emphasis on giving than on receiving. Some families serve a meal to the poor on Christmas. Others may do caroling at a nursing home during the holiday season. Starting in November, children can make lists of presents they will give, rather than of what they want to get. Whole families can put more thoughtfulness into a fewer number of gifts for everybody. Less cookies can be baked. After all, does every family need to consume at least twelve dozen cookies? Perhaps the health and self-control levels of everyone would be better served by giving and consuming fruit, cheese, or special homemade relishes.

If we want the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings to enter our hearts bringing His gifts of peace, love, and joy, we have to make room for Him. We have to clear our hearts of extraneous pleasures and possessions. We have to be ready when He knocks on the doors of our hearts. Then He will enter, and we will be free from our captivity.

Mary Sue Laing, M.Ed.
Resource Teacher, St. Ambrose School
newskill7@msn.com

by Mary Sue Laing, M. Ed., New Skill, Inc. Academic Tutor