Visits, gifts, greeting cards ( now by email) are a good part of the holiday experience. How can we love everyone all at once? I don’t know.
But Luke’s gospel makes visiting a part of the Christmas mystery. Mary goes into the hill country to visit her cousin Elisabeth after she hears the angel’s message. They meet, not just to trade family news and pass the time together, but they share faith.
They’re two believers who reveal to each other the mystery hidden within them in their unborn children. And they rejoice in their common gift.
We gather with others at Christmas time; people of faith, believers in a mystery we do not see. At Christmas, believers meet, even believers to a degree.
More than we know, we’re signs to each other, like the bread and wine, sometimes hardly evident. In his commentary today on the gospel of the visitation, St. Ambrose says we’re like Mary and Elizabeth; “Every soul that believes–that soul both conceives and gives birth to the Word of God and recognizes his works.”
So we visit and give our gift.
The Victor's Place 
Our greatest music… is nothing
compared to the Gift of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Our finest art, sculpture or painting
is nothing
compared to the Gift of Our Lord Jesus Christ
and yet…
over the next few days
we will dash around and offer to one another
plasma screen tv’s
electronic hamsters — or are they guinea pigs?
sweaters, and pajamas
socks
oh yes and gift cards…
As signs of our love for one another
we will we give each other
— stuff.
When I listen though with the ear of my heart…
I hear a prayer nestled in all that wrapping paper.
A simple prayer.
A prayer that we might know the JOY
that is the very Heart of Christmas…
Lord…. Abba… Father…
May our hearts open wide this year
to receive the Gift of Joy that is your Son
Our Lord Jesus Christ…
That the world may see and know
that you have heard and answered our cry.
You have remembered your Covenant of Love…
Give us smiles to light His way through the darkness
and laughter to warm our hearts to receive Him
May we overflow with joy from hearts that abide
in the Peace that is Jesus Christ…
a Magnificat of Praise and Thanksgiving…
Amen
Glory to God in the Highest
and peace to His People on Earth….
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This Christmas, let’s give Joy; smiling at everyone we meet, greeting each new day with enthusiasm, and seeking pleasure in the accomplishments of others.
This Christmas, let’s give Hope; encouraging those who are sick, sad, or stressed, helping when and however we can, and giving positive example to those who may turn to us for guidance.
This Christmas, let’s give Peace; forgiving those who have wronged us, building bridges between those who are estranged, and resolving to practice humility and tolerance at all times.
This Christmas, let’s give Faith; Divinity asleep in a manger, Redemption upon the Cross, Christ Jesus alive in our hearts.
This Christmas, let’s give Love.
May the Passion of Jesus be forever in our hearts.
Alleluia!
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