THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
DECEMBER 25, 2011
Merry Christmas!
Isn't it a special blessing when Christmas falls on a Sunday? Sure, it means that two Mass obligations are fulfilled only once, but it is always liturgically rewarding to gather on The Lord's Day—a "Little Easter"—and celebrate the birth of the Christ.
Christmas was St. Francis' favorite holiday. Once, when the Solemnity of the Lord's Nativity fell on a Friday, one of the friars, Brother Morico, said that the friars should not eat meat and should fast. Francis replied, "You sin, Brother, calling the day on which the Child was born to us a day of fast. It is my wish," he said, "that even the walls should eat meat on such a day, and if they cannot, they should be smeared with meat on the outside." (From the Second Life of St. Francis of Assisi by Friar Thomas of Celano, Number 199)
Now there's an picture for you! Imagine the walls smeared with meat, all to celebrate the birth of the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, as a man. Francis uses the image of meat—flesh (carne)— to highlight the Incarnation of the Redeemer.
Because Francis is never far from the mystery of the cross in his spirituality, he relates the joy of the Nativity to the sorrow of the cross. For Francis, the birth, life, and death of Jesus all speak to us of the Lord's poverty—making himself poor for our sakes. The two images of wood—the wood of the crib and the wood of the cross—are linked. There could have been no cross without first there being a crib, and the crib is devoid of meaning unless we see that it leads to the cross.
I suppose that this is the reason that I find it so particularly meaningful when Christmas falls on a Sunday. The mystery of the crib and of the cross intersect as we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, as we do on every Sunday, every "Little Easter." I want to thank everyone who contributed to the magnificent decorations we see in the Shrine church and the Porziuncola chapel, especially the poinsettias. A special word of thanks goes to Steve Cady and Christ Stockton for their work decorating the church, not only for Christmas, but throughout the year.
Teresa Wang is responsible for the beautiful flowers that adorn our high altar every week. Thank you, Teresa, for extending the spirit of Christmas giving throughout the year.
While handing out thanks, I would be remiss if I failed to publicly acknowledge the members of the Archconfraternity of the Knights of St. Francis of Assisi who volunteer throughout the year, to make sure that our beautiful Lady Chapel, La Porziuncola Nuova, is guarded and that visitors are greeted.
I want to express gratitude to those who have carried on our Sunday hospitality ministry while Pauline recuperates: Jeff and Becha, Trish, Maggie, and our newest addition, Jennie. The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi could hardly function without the hard work, devotion, and persistence of our administrative assistant, Joyce Herbert, and the dedicated volunteer work of her husband, Larry. I thank both of them for making my job so much easier to do.
There are many others I could thank, but I believe they would prefer that I don't. If there is anyone whom I should have mentioned, but did not, I apologize.
Pax et Bonum,
Fr. Gregory Coiro, O.F.M.Cap.
