My family’s favorite part of decorating our Christmas tree is when we plug in the lights. The best part is our star which has rotating rays glowing out onto the ceiling. Unashamedly, my husband likes to keep the lighted tree up through February. He grew up in Florida, but I have no excuse. For me, the glow is a sign of hope in the dark, cold winters of Indiana. Some nights I’ll just sit there and stare at those lights. It transmits me to sunnier days and easier times, hope amidst the suffering.
In the midst of a holiday season of peace and love, the readings for this Sunday represent both sides of our God—mercy and justice. It’s important we stay on the right side and make our way along His narrow path since our all-powerful Lord is capable of awe-filled greatness. In fact, our faith and hope abide in His omnipotence and unconditional love.
As a result of God’s all-loving nature, He planted Jesus in the muck of humanity, the perfect blossom from Jesse’s root. Despite the fact that the trunk is filled with a mix of ancestors, kings, and murderers, Jesus shines. He becomes the guiding light atop this large tree of Jesse with a trunk full of sinners. By God’s mercy, the stump’s crown gave birth to the glorious Jesus—both man and God. The Old Testament reading says Jesus is “set up as a signal for the nations….for his dwelling shall be glorious.” Jesus' luminous reign shines forth atop the canopy for the world to see.
Like my Christmas tree star, Jesus is our guiding light to heaven. He is the warm glow in the middle of despair. As St. Paul says, it is through Jesus that we find our hope to endure. The Gospel too reminds us of St. John the Baptist’s call to “Repent” or Metanoia, defined as mind transformation. We must transcend our human condition with the help of God’s grace. This begins with prayerful conversations with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. With every prayerful moment, we listen to His voice to follow His will. Ideally, we surrender ourselves to His loving care.
May you hear Him and be encouraged knowing that God loves you and has a place for you in the next life. Our faith and hope lie in His star’s light on these cold nights of our earthly lives.
Meet the Author
Kristy Grabczynski is a fulfillment associate at The Catholic Woodworker. She enjoys packing and sending each beautiful rosary out to enrich someone’s prayer life. With four boys, she prays frequently and goes to the grocery store often—sometimes twice a day!
Featured Team Favorites: Kristy’s Picks
A couple of my favorite rosaries are the Queen of Angels and Refuge of Sinners. They have either beautiful African turquoise or green moonstone beads with stunning crucifixes.
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