Making the Christmas narrative the centre of our lives

 Photo: Canva.com

We have begun Advent, the four weeks dedicated to deepening our faith is the mystery of the God who so loved the world that he sent his only Son to empty himself of his equality with God to be born into our human life. It is a time to make the Christmas narrative the centre of our lives as we prepare with our family prayers, novenas and masses. It is not easy as we are constantly facing a barrage of propaganda which is thrusting another figure into the limelight. Parades have already begun with one float after another dedicated to Santa Claus. Who now remembers that the origin of Santa Claus goes back to Saint Nicholas, a 3rd century bishop, known for his love of Jesus which led him to acts of generosity and compassion to help children especially those who were poor? He was gradually transformed into Santa Claus, who was then used by businesses as a symbol of consumerism. ''Twenty days to Christmas, shop now.''

 

As Jesus praised the great faith of the Roman centurion in todays gospel, let us be inspired by a christian group who yesterday in Auckland prepared a float depicting the Nativity scene to counter the dominant Santa Claus presentations in the parade. May all our families plan together the best ways to celebrate the birth of Jesus as our greatest Christmas present and even reflect with their children on the possibility of buying less expensive gifts to help in the financial crisis that many are facing. We can't abolish Santa Claus but we cannot allow him to become more important than Jesus for our children.