The Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Surrender
At Mass today, we heard the Magnificat—that ancient hymn of Mary found in Luke 1:46-55:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day all generations shall call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
What strikes me most profoundly about these words is how Mary gives God all the glory with perfect clarity. She proclaims the greatness of the Lord and never elevates herself above her Son—nor should we. There exists a great misconception among Protestants regarding Mary. She is the Mother of God, and as servants of Christ, we are called to honor her just as Jesus did. God gave us the Ten Commandments, and the fourth commands us to honor our father and mother. When someone speaks against Mary, we should ask ourselves: How would I defend my own mother? Jesus comes to the defense of His Mother. We thank Mary for her courageous “yes” to bearing her Son Jesus, and we remain ever mindful of her irreplaceable role in this celebration of Christmas.
The True Meaning of Christmas Traditions
If your home is adorned with Christmas lights, a Christmas tree, and the exchange of gifts, you are celebrating the birth of Christ—whether you recognize it or not. Yes, it has become a cultural tradition, but its roots are unmistakably Christian. According to Pew Research, 81% of Christians in the United States celebrate Christmas, but remarkably, 87% of non-Christians do as well. What joy must resound through heaven to witness such a diverse gathering of people come together to honor our Savior’s blessed arrival. In this season, we celebrate not merely tradition, but the Incarnation itself.
Saint Nicholas: From Bishop to Santa Claus
Saint Nicholas was born on December 6, 280, a bishop from Patara in modern-day Turkey. Many legends surround his life, but my favorite tells of how he helped three poor sisters by placing gold in their stockings for their dowries—saving them from being sold into servitude. The Dutch honored his memory, calling him Sint Nikolaas, though his nickname was Sinterklaas. When he came to America in the 1700s, he became woven into our Christmas celebration. It was Clement Clarke Moore’s beloved poem “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas” that transformed him into the figure we know today: Santa Claus. A charitable bishop had evolved into a symbol of Christmas generosity.
A Christmas Secret
Christmas is about giving gifts and sharing love, isn’t it? Not when it comes to my neighbor Adele’s peanut butter fudge. She makes the most delicious fudge in the world, and I will never—ever—share it with anyone. It’s unfortunate that I cannot post a picture, because not a morsel remains. For two blissful days, I savored small, enjoyable bites of this delicacy, and with each taste came a rush of Christmas joy that was nothing short of euphoric. Not one person in my family will ever experience this particular bliss. Thank you, Adele—this treasure is mine alone.
A Prayer for Christmas
May all Americans celebrating Christmas turn their hearts to you, Lord, and may you bless them with a prosperous New Year—a peace that surpasses all understanding. From our humble abode to yours, Merry Christmas!
