Christmas is for Children?

Often we hear this said and what it implies is that there is perhaps little magic in terms of anticipation and surprise in Christmas for adults.  While that may well be true yet let us not say that there isn't a good deal of meaning in Christmas for adults especially when we move beyond some of the more cultural and less religious customs and observances of this day and season.  Indeed, Santa Claus and jingle bells aside, what is Christmas but a time to deepen our -appreciation of the great mystery of the Incarnation, the Word made Flesh, coming to dwell among us.   The Incarnation reminds us that there is nothing in our human experience except sin that is unfamiliar to God, for in Jesus the Christ, God has lived and died much as we do.  Thus Christmas is about Emmanuel, God with us, knowing our human joys and especially experiencing our sufferings and our sorrows.   Thus Christmas is not only for children, it is for adults and especially those who are presently suffering in any way or mourning the loss of loved ones for its message is one of divine solidarity with us.  The true Christmas tidings of "comfort and joy” are that we are never alone no matter what we may face, for in Christ, God has been there too, so as to accompany us with empathy and compassion.   We certainly hope that all children can and will enjoy Christmas in a special way with all its potential wonder and magic.  However, faced with the contemporary tendency to redefine Christmas so as to make it everyone's holiday rather than a distinctly Christian feast and season, our greatest and most prayerful wish must be that those for whom Christmas is truly intended will not feel left out and even more alone.   Rather, may the truth of the incarnation that God who took on human flesh is very close to the broken hearted, bring them the peace and joy He intends for all his children no matter their age to enjoy.

Fr. Edward Healey