Bishop Sullivan: Go to Jesus as you are

Recently, I attended “Lessons and Carols” in the chapel of Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University.

“Lessons and Carols” is an Advent service of Scripture readings, Christmas carols and prayers in preparation for the celebration of Christmas. On the cover of the program was written, “In preparation for the Nativity of the Lord,” which indeed it was for me. The service focused me on the clarion call of the Advent season to prepare for the comings of the Lord: His coming in majesty, his coming in the flesh at Christmas and his daily comings in mystery.

Listening to the eight Scripture lessons – each one followed by a familiar Christmas carol, some sung by the congregation, others by the seminary schola (choir) – helped me to still myself from the busyness of this time of year and attentively enter into the Advent season of preparation for the comings of the Lord.

Following the seventh lesson – the Gospel of Saint Matthew 2:1-12, the account of the visit of the wise men to the Infant Jesus – the 16th century hymn “Greensleeves” was sung. The congregation sang the familiar chorus, “So bring him incense, gold and myrrh,” over which the schola cantorum (seminary choir) sang “Child of the Poor” by Scott Soper. I was not familiar with this piece of music. Its verses are:

Bring all the thirsty, all who seek peace,
bring those with nothing to offer.
Strengthen the feeble, say to the frightened heart
fear not, here is your God.
Who is this who lives with the lowly,
sharing their sorrows, knowing their hunger?
This is Christ, revealed to the world
in the eyes of a child, a child of the poor.

I find these verses a powerful reflection on the mystery of the Birth of the Lord. They are an invitation to go to the Child Jesus. To go to Him with all our cares, woes, concerns, dreams, joys, challenges and problems. He is a poor child who has nothing to give us except the incredible gift of himself, the Holy Child. He is God with us, Emmanuel, whose Birth according to the flesh the prophets of old foretold, and at Christmas we celebrate.

Do not allow this Christmas season to pass without spending time with the Infant Jesus. God in the flesh, Jesus is proof of the passionate love of God for us to send his Son to save us. He is the invisible God made visible. He is God with us.

Sometimes, the rush, crowds, glitz and noise of this time of year prevent us from going to Jesus. Go to Him as you are. Go with all you are and who you are. He is born to save you.

Despite the ever-increasing secularization of Christmas, there is no Christmas without Christ. Likewise, there is no Christmas without Mass. For our homebound Catholics, Masses are available on television. Some parishes livestream.

Invite your family to attend Christmas Mass together at your parish. You and your loved ones gathered in church at Christmas Mass with the faithful, singing Christmas carols, listening to the Scriptures and praying together make Christmas a very holy time for all. Christmas is about Jesus Christ. He is our savior who took on human flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judea. He is the Lord who lived a human life in all things but sin. His humanity makes it easy for us to know, love and follow God.

There is a delightful story about a four-year-old child who wakes in the middle of the night frightened by a nightmare. She runs to her parents’ bedroom for comfort. Her mother reassures her, saying, “You needn’t be afraid. You are not alone. God is with you.” The child replies, “I know God is with me, but I need someone who has skin!”

This is what we celebrate at Christmas. God took skin. The Infant of Bethlehem, Son of God, Son of Mary. Born according to the flesh with skin. Born in desperate circumstances in an animal shelter in Bethlehem of Judea. He is God’s Word. Listen to Him.

Brothers and sisters, may the Holy Child of Bethlehem, God in skin, free you from all fears. He, Christ the Savior, a child of the poor, is born for you. May you and your loved ones experience His blessings, love and peace during this Christmas season and in the New Year 2025.