Friday, December 22, 2023

Christmas is saying yes. (Henri Nouwen)

    Somehow, I realized that songs, music, good feelings, beautiful liturgies, nice presents, big dinners, and many sweet words do not make Christmas. Christmas is saying "yes" to something beyond all emotions and feelings. Christmas is saying "yes" to a hope based on God's initiative, which has nothing to do with what I think or feel. Christmas is believing that the salvation of the world is God's work and not mine. Things will never look just right or feel just right. If they did, someone would be lying... But it is into this broken world that a child is born who is called Son of the Most High, Prince of Peace, Savior. 

     Thank you, Lord, that you came independently of my feelings and thoughts. Your heart is greater than mine. 

--Henri Nouwen 

Image source: He Qi, Annunciation, https://www.heqiart.com/store/p45/01_Annunciation_Artist_Proof.html
Quotation source

No comments:

Post a Comment