Compassion Speaks: Sharing Christmas Joy

by Susan McCarthy, RDC

For many of us, the days before (and after)  December 25 are days of putting into practice, of living out the Gospel of Jesus Christ as given to us through the evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  We are invited to celebrate the birth of Jesus by living as he did: by loving others, forgiving those who have hurt us.

Contrary to all we see on television and in newspaper and online advertising, these days are much more about caring for those without in our society.  These are people without money, without jobs, without homes and in many cases without family to assist them in their plight.

I sat in Church last weekend and watched the Christmas gifts pile up.  These were gifts provided by the people of the parish for families in the South Bronx.  The gifts filled the steps in front of the altar.  The gifts of all shapes and sizes were wrapped beautifully with lots of silver gold, red and green paper.  These were gifts truly wrapped with love.  The scene was truly picture-perfect.   So much so that it invited me into real reflection on the meaning of Christmas.

Earlier that week The New York Times had published a powerful story of a young girl and her family living in squalor in a Brooklyn shelter. The articles were the talk of the Sunday morning shows.  The girl was named ‘Dasani’ by her mother, after the brand of bottled water, because to her mother bottled water was a luxury!

As I reflect on the gifts and the many folks I know who are in desperate need of just some human kindness and thoughtfulness, I’m reminded of a story told of how Jesus intended to have his work continue after he died.  He taught his followers (and each of us) so that we would find ways to feed the hungry and give hope to the hopeless.

In my reflecting, I recall a Christmas day in New York City, when after Mass, another parishioner and I, flush with the joy of a beautiful worship service, pledged to do all we could to make Christmas last throughout the year.  Unfortunately, I have not always been successful, but each Christmas I’m reminded to re-start my effort.  The Christmas message, much like the message of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, is that we each have the possibility of bringing real joy into the lives of others.