Merry Christmas!
Venerable Fulton Sheen stated in the Life of Christ, “When finally the scrolls of history are completed down to the last word of time, the saddest line of all will be, ‘There was no room in the inn.’”
These same words were echoed in our Gospel, “She wrapped him is swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
During the season of Advent we prepared the way for the Lord’s coming among us as Word made Flesh. Seasons such as Advent or Lent assist in staying focused on what is to come. Even outside of these seasons we must continue to look forward and strive with the assistance of God’s grace to live out good and holy lives.
The world in which we live is a very busy place. There is constantly noise that exists around us. There is always some looming fear of what might take place in the future. It is no wonder that it is so easy to take our sight off of Christ and live for worldly pursuits. Therefore, we are those who fail to make room for Him to dwell in the inn of our heart.
On Christmas Day the world finally begins to shut down even if only briefly. This gives us a moment to ponder the peace that the Lord ushers into the world. As the multitude of the heavenly host exclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” We cannot allow this day to be brief and without any further commitment to the Lord.
As we come to say prior to the reception of Holy Communion, “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” These words sum up the fervor that ought to exist in daring to receive Christ in the Eucharist. The one whom we receive here is the same that we come to adore on this Christmas Day.
Hopefully, when we wonder away from here we will continue to choose to live for Christ. He is not just one among many, but the one for whom our heart longs. In entering back into the world we must live making room for Him to dwell with us in order that room may be found within the inn of heart for Him to enter in and dwell.
As is stated in the first chapter of the Gospel of Saint John, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” These words remind us of the reality of what is celebrated on this day. God has made His dwelling place among us. Let us choose to live for Him not just for one night, but for each day of our life for “a savior has been born for you who is Christ the Lord.”
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