Let me share a special moment in my ministry when
the children of Holy Family were invited by their teacher to decorate Jesus’
birthday cake. During my homily about lullabies, the children put sprinkles on
the cake. Then they put the finishing touches on their birthday cards they each
made for the infant. Finally, they made a list of toys and games that they
promised to give to Jesus for his birthday.
When we brought the birthday cake up to the
altar, I gave each child a stuffed toy that depicted the animals that were in
the barn on that first Christmas. These were no ordinary animals for on that
first Christmas day, the animals had been given the gift of speech.
It was
on a special night, in a simple stable, that ordinary animals became special
animals because of the unique and most precious gifts each of them offered to
Baby Jesus. It was a donkey, which carried the baby's mother safely on his
back. And a sheep who gave the baby a special woolen blanket. Only a kitty could
have purred the baby to sleep and it took a brave dog to keep watch over them
all. Unique in this barn was a giraffe that watched for three special visitors
who would come to pay homage to the infant king.
"Yes,
everyone has a unique and most special gift to give at Christmas," said
the cow. "That's why animals like us are given this special gift of speech
each Christmas Eve at midnight. So we might tell our children about those very
first Christmas gifts given by ordinary animals."
The
animals gathered at the door to the stable. Suddenly they saw a bright star in
the sky. "Yes," said the cow. "It is a special star that will
always remind us of that special night when the most special baby was
born."
Their teacher
read the birthday cards the children wrote and the gifts they would bring the
infant Jesus. A two-year boy drew a baby, some pie and a potato. Another young
lady drew a blanket, a pillow and a coat. Someone drew a picture of a John
Deere gator and a dirt bike. Another child drew a piece of chocolate candy. A six-year
girl drew an ornament with the face of Jesus. Another drawing had a picture of a
four-wheeler and a teddy bear.
The
children took their cards and animals and placed them into the manager in the
sanctuary. The candles on the birthday cake were lit and the children along
with their moms and dads and grandparents and all the parishioners sang Happy
Birthday to Jesus.
Notice
in the photo above, how the children puckered their little mouths to blow out
the candles. Noticed more the spirit of joy in their eyes and smile. It was
truly a holy moment of peace and joy.
Perhaps
it has been awhile since we felt this kind of joy and peace on Christmas Day.
Let the expressions on these children’s faces be a source of comfort to you now
that the Lord of Peace has come into your life and wants you to feel this same
peace and joy.
Take
another look into these precious eyes and see the wonder and the light of God’s
peace for you. A Holy and Merry Christmas. Fr.
Matt
