Are you prepared for Christmas?

12-25-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu

Every year we prepare for Christmas. Our preparation includes adorning our homes and churches with beautiful decorations and Christmas trees. We also buy presents for our children, spouses, and loved ones. We send out Christmas cards to family and friends. We prepare a sumptuous meal for Christmas dinner.

But then, how much preparation is enough? How ready can we be for Christmas? Is Christmas delayed if we do not have everything on our to-do list accomplished before December 25th? Would it stop Christmas from coming? The answer is that nothing can stop Christmas from coming, not even our unpreparedness or lack of readiness. So, why prepare?

If you are one of those who have yet to check off all the items on their to-do list for Christmas, do not worry. You are not alone. If it is any consolation, Mary and Joseph knew well in advance that they would have a baby, yet they did not have everything ready by the time Jesus was born. You would think nine months would be enough notice for them to make plans for the crib, baby clothes, and diapers. They left for a long journey knowing that the baby could come anytime, yet they didn’t make reservations at the inn. If they lived in our time, many of us would ask: what were they thinking? And yet, even with their seeming lack of preparedness, Christmas came. The infant Jesus was born.

Furthermore, it was not just Mary and Joseph; the people of God seemed not to be prepared either. They knew for years to prepare for a Messiah, their redeemer King, and vindicator, yet they were not ready to welcome him. They misunderstood the prophets' message about the Messiah King's nature and character. But he came anyway. Christmas still came.

Like the first Christmas that came and went, so too, this one will come and go, whether we are ready or not. The question is: are we prepared for the Christmas that is yet to come – the return of the King of Glory?

To be prepared, we need to gaze at the infant Jesus in the manger with love and adoration, just like the shepherds and wise men did. Let us accept and believe that Jesus is God’s gift to us and then let this gift of unimaginable love fill our hearts and change our lives. Above all other things, let us always strive to be faith-filled disciples of Jesus Christ. And when we do these things, I assure you that no matter what else we do or how we prepare in our own way to celebrate the memory of Christmas past, we will truly be ready for the Christmas yet to come.