881 Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection Vol. 82 DECEMBER 2018 No. 12 * This periodical is indexed in the ATLA Catholic Periodical and Literature Index® (CPLI®), a product of the American Theological Library Association, www: http://www.atla.com. * The Journal is also abstracted in Religious and Theological Abstracts. Guest Editorial CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS AS LITTLE CHILDREN he real meaning and spirit of Christmas is so often lost Tin the scramble for extravagant decor, ostentatious gifts, specialized cuisine, and elaborate parties. Sadly, instead of dwelling on the spiritual dimensions of Advent, too much valuable time is spent in shopping, cake-making, gift-wrapping, card-making and house-cleaning. Even penitential actions and choir practices tend to become routinized rituals rather than experiences of purification and blessing. Instead of spending time in personal reflection and contemplative prayer, families are pressurized into a cascade of grand-scale plans, and high-speed activities. Our religious communities also tend to get pulled into the frenzy of the Christmas preparation syndrome, following cultural protocols that overpower the capacity for loving fellowship and spiritual sustenance. What we really need to do during this season is to give time and attention to a meditative remembrance of the Word made incarnate in fragile human form, honouring the revelation that Christmas inaugurates the kingdom of heaven. Our souls need to resound with the praise and salutation of the multitude of heavenly hosts who joined the angel messenger singing, “Glory to God in Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, Vol.82/12 December 2018 p. 3 882 PEARL DREGO GUEST EDITORIAL 883 the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those he favours” not to do this. When Jesus is apprised of the matter he declares, (Lk 2:14). In the true spirit of this time, we can model the journey “Let the little children come to me and do not stop them, for it to of the shepherds till we attain the incandescent vision of beloved such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, baby Jesus reclining contentedly in the arms of Mary and Joseph, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, rejoicing that the promise extolled by Zechariah has been realized: will never enter it” (Lk 18:15-17). For us today, worshiping the “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will infant Jesus at Christmas is surely a source and paradigm for our break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in understanding of childhood, our respect for children and our efforts the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Lk to be childlike in our daily life and in our surrender to God. The 1:78-79). We can dwell with childlike wonder on this sacred arrival of the kingdom of heaven is the reign of God, a new era scene of intimate mystery, confident that in every context it heralds in which we experience liberation at all levels, transformation of salvation from sinfulness, celebration of descending grace, the universe and an inundation of the Holy Spirit with abundant fulfillment of God’s promises, healing of wounds, cleansing of miracles. aggression, overcoming of loneliness, bonding of communities, Christmas reveals the humanity of God and the divinity of the assurance of a safe future for everyone, hope of peace in the human, through the arrival of the Christ-child. The presence of a world, aura of mercy, unifying of heaven and earth, and vitality of baby in any human family triggers dynamic changes in atmosphere supernatural childlike joy. and behaviour. A baby brings out the sweetest emotions and the We can truly savour the richness and depth of the Christmas broadest smiles of happiness. As parents and relatives focus on season by absorbing the impact of Jesus’ reply to the disciples’ the newborn they begin to feel their lives opening up to many question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matt more relationships and to the wider universe beyond their given 18:1). Jesus responds in a practical way by calling a child, putting horizons. Similarly, the celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus the child in their midst, and declaring, “Truly I tell you, unless you at Christmas intensifies our perceptions and feelings at the spiritual change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom level, giving us an expanded celestial circumference. of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest At Christmas we truly need to remind ourselves that God’s in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in descent into humankind in the form of a human baby contains a my name, welcomes me” (Matt 18:3-5). range of enlightening messages. Ever since that moment of divine Mark reports the same event adding that Jesus was indignant birth, the human baby has become uniquely sacred – a wellspring when the disciples stopped the people from bringing the children. of holiness. We therefore need to treat babies with overflowing He says, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; love, dedicated attention, wholehearted caretaking, unwavering for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly continuity, and ongoing consistency. These attitudes can be I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little crowned with a readiness to fulfill the needs of children, to respond child will never enter it” (Mk 10:14-16). Jesus lays his hands on appropriately to their cries for help, to inspire them to union with the children before going on his way. the divine, and to support their overall development, happiness Luke tells us that people were bringing even infants to Jesus and integrity. There are thousands of infants and children in our that he might touch them, and the disciples sternly ordered them country who suffer from rejection and abandonment and who Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection,Vol.82/12 December 2018 p. 4 Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, Vol.82/12 December 2018 p. 5 884 PEARL DREGO GUEST EDITORIAL 885 desperately require the basic supports for their survival and Today, the message of Jesus to be like little children needs prosperity. Christmas is a time to reach out with decisive solutions. to be heard not only by grown-ups but also by children. “Let you We get the inspiration to widen and intensify our responses child be a child” is the message that parents need to follow when to all kinds of children when we see that God is so often portrayed they narrow-mindedly demand that their children grow up fast, as a mother or father with everlasting love and care for his people. take up responsibilities and perform with excellence. In a sense “He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs we need to rediscover the metaphor of child. To be a child is not in his arms and carry them in his bosom and gently lead the mother to be ignorant, immature, helpless or inefficient, but rather to have sheep” (Is 40:11). Again, God says to his people, that they are the positive characteristics of trust, surrender and serenity. A child those, is loving and wants to be loved. Its arms reach out to be held and “who have been borne by me from your birth, carried, to be accepted, nourished, embraced and comforted. carried from the womb, Spirituality today integrates the findings from the human even in your old age I am he, sciences, especially psychology. Psychologists have researched even when you turn gray I will carry you. the human personality to discover that each human being has an I have made, and I will bear, inner child that continues throughout life. This inner child is dormant I will carry and will save” (Is 46:3-4). in some parts of our day or night and in some phases of our life. Since we see ourselves as being God’s people today, we also see As grown-ups we can be ready to acknowledge the childlike and ourselves as being God’s children. “See what love the Father has even childish tendencies within ourselves. When people reach given us, that we should be called God’s children. For that is what retirement, or the stage of being a grandparent, they are often we are” (1 Jn 3:1). We need to feel God’s parental love even in surprised to find that whereas in previous years they were OK to the midst of troubles and trials, pain and problems. It is a love that be alone or individualistic, they now need the presence, company, we have not merited but which, like the love of a parent to a child, conversation and affirmation of others more than ever. They find is gratuitous and unconditional. God’s everlasting love continues themselves behaving like little children and wanting to interact with unabated and overflowing through the risen life of Jesus, not only both adults and little ones in a childlike way. Recently I had a bringing us to spiritual maturity but also rendering us dependently phone call from a grandfather who has returned from Mumbai secure and ecstatically protected, as children are in the bosom of where he and his wife had a month’s holiday with their daughter their parents. We can encourage each other to experience and and her children. He had laughter and joy in his voice when he extend this love in real, concrete ways within our families, related how much he enjoyed playing with his grandchildren – he communities and neighbourhoods, and acknowledge and nourish who was a serious, achievement-oriented bureaucratic economist.