“Christmas is NOT the Season for Giving“
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
December 16 – 17, 2023
Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28
A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.
And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.” So, they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’” as Isaiah the prophet said.” Some Pharisees were also sent. They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is One among you whom you do not recognize, the One who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Do you know what the two kinds of people in church are? Well, there are saints and sinners – we are all sinners, so that’s us. Some are ordained and not ordained. There is no second class. In Rome, they are saying, “Oh, we make the decisions.” “Women need the power to make great decisions.” Really? Did you grow up in a hole? Women always make decisions. Are you kidding me? There is also chatter in the Church about who wants to lead or who wants power. How about John the Baptist? He said, “I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of His sandals” (John 1:7). In those times, do you know who unstrapped people’s sandals and washed their feet? Slaves. John said he was beneath the slaves. Know what Jesus said about John the Baptist? He said, “Among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). So even as great a man as John was, he was not worthy to untie the sandals of our Savior. We have to remember our state. Even as a priest, I must remember my state. I was given this gift for you and not for myself. I am a better priest when I am more humble as I try to be holy. So whatever gifts we have been given are for others.
Have you ever heard that Christmas is the season for giving? Do you know where that phrase originated? Walmart and all the stores before them. Christmas is NOT the season for giving. Christmas is the season for receiving. What is Christmas? It is the reception of Christ coming into our world. The first Christmas was when we received our dear Savior in a stable in Bethlehem. We received Him into this world so that He could fulfill His promise to come, suffer, die, open the doors of Heaven, and give us the means to achieve our salvation. Christmas is the season for receiving. We are called to prepare ourselves for the reception of Christ not only at the anniversary of His birth in this world but also for that time when we experience our perfect Christmas which is when we get to see Him and enter Heaven.
Holy Mother Church stresses that we should prepare our souls to celebrate His coming. He is our true peace and happiness. We are called to prepare ourselves for all the little Christmas we experience when we receive Him in Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Penance. We can receive Christ every day. How often can you receive Holy Communion? Do you know? Once a day? Actually, more than once a day. Twice if you receive Holy Communion at a daily Mass and then go to a wedding or a funeral. You can go to Confession once a day too. Popes and the great saints went every day to receive the grace of our Lord in the Sacraments.
So, Christmas is the season of receiving. When we receive, we can give. Only by the reception of our Lord and welcoming Him into our souls and our lives are we able to give that love to others. You cannot give what you do not have. We cannot give love if we do not have the Author of love inside our souls. We just can’t. So, this is the season to prepare ourselves to receive our Savior not only on the anniversary of His birth into this world but before every Mass and every time we receive the Sacrament of Penance which could be every day . . . just trying to drum up business. When you receive Holy Communion, you receive Him spiritually and physically into your body. So, for Catholics, every day can be Christmas.
This is the season for receiving. I am not telling you to skip giving gifts to your family and friends. Don’t do that. I don’t want to make your life harder than it needs to be. But all that is just an expression of what should be inside. If it’s not there, you need to receive our Lord a lot more often.
How will you apply this message to your life? ________________________________________
You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to AnnunciationCatholicAlbemarle.com and clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” then “Sermon Notes.” On a cell phone: click on “Blog” and then “Menu.” Scroll to the bottom and click on “Categories.” Sermon Notes are also available on the Church’s Facebook page at ola.Catholic.Church. Click on “Groups” and then “Sermon Notes.”