Weekly Meditation December 19, 2011

Joy and lights are two prominent aspects of our days of preparing for Christmas. Ponder prayerfully on several reflections of Pope Benedict XVI in a new publication: "Christmas," USCCB, Spiritual Thoughts Series.

Joy is the true gift of Christmas, not expensive presents that demand time and money. We can transmit this joy simply: with a smile, with a kind gesture, with some small help, with forgiveness. Let us give this joy and the joy given will be returned to us. (Dec. 18, 2005)

Let us remember in particular, as we look at the streets and squares of the cities decorated with dazzling lights, that these lights refer us to another light, invisible to the eyes but not to the heart. While we admire them, while we light the candles in churches or the illuminations of the crib and the Christmas tree in our homes, may our souls be open to the true spiritual light brought to all people of good will. (Dec. 21, 2005)

After lighting the huge Christmas tree in St. Peter Square this year, Pope Benedict remarked, "that each of us be a light for those who are at our sides... Any small gesture of goodness is like one of the lights of this great tree: together with other lights it illuminates the darkness of the night, even of the darkest night."

And the greatest gesture of goodness is the gift of the Light of the world, Jesus Christ, to whom we renew our love and discipleship at Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Bishop William R. Houck
President Emeritus