The Advent Service and Christmas Blessing which was to take place Tuesday, December 14 was cancelled that afternoon, “in the spirit of continued responsiveness to the constantly changing health landscape.” The School concluded that , “with a careful eye on student health in conjunction with our upcoming departure for the Christmas holiday, we need to avoid a large gathering tonight.” Prior Michael’s teaching for the evening was already prepared, and we offer it to our reader here. We also provide the blessing he was to give in person to the School and extended community in person for the Christmas season.

Message for the Culmination of Advent

Friday, the day the campus closes, the Church begins using what are called the O Antiphons in its prayers. They are called that because they all begin with “O,” followed by one of Jesus’ mystical titles, which taken together make up the hymn O Come, O Come, Emanuel.

Prior Michael preaching for Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

The first Antiphon is “O Wisdom.” O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from one end of creation to the other with power, and kindly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence. Prudence is a Latinized word for Wisdom. Wisdom is important, but God’s wisdom is so different from human wisdom. Jesus was different from the Messiah everyone expected. He was born away from home, on the road, and his hometown was a poor backwater from which no good could be expected. To see him and know him as the Messiah, the Son of God, meant then and still means now that one has to see not with the practical eyes of human beings in society, but with the eyes of God in wisdom and faith. Jesus Christ came to save us from our weakness, failings and sins, all of us, and none of us deserves to be saved and surely none of us earns our salvation. One hundred and twenty-one years ago little Adolf Hitler attended a Benedictine School just like you, and he went to Mass just like you, and studied religion. Each one of us can be like Adolf Hitler, a hateful tragedy, or like Jesus, a loving blessing. We have the power to be either.

The baby Jesus whose birth we will celebrate again this year grew up like each of us. He undoubtedly learned human discipline from his mother and Joseph. He underwent his greatest tragedy for a period of three days from which he emerged triumphant, resurrected. So, we celebrate his birthday because he did not keep this triumph to himself but he shares it with us. His birthday is time of joy for us because, out of love for undeserving us, he gave us the gift that, if we are wise, means the most to us. And so we do likewise and give gifts to those we love in memory of Him. So, let us focus on what is really important in our lives.

Whatever way God is calling you and inviting you to come closer, to be happier, my prayer for you this Christmas is that you do hear, listen and respond, and that therefore you become happier in your life, and above all, that you arrive at the destination of perfect happiness that God has designed just for you. May you have an Awesome and Happy Christmas and a blessed, safe and healthy New Year! Finally, I want to say a big Thank You. I don’t always say it, but I always think it. Thank you for being part of this school community. It wouldn’t be the same without you. And I wouldn’t be here if not for you.

Empty Stillman Dining Hall

I know you will make New Year’s resolutions, but before your blessing, first consider making these Christmas resolutions.

Are you willing...

• To forget your pride in what you have done for other people, and to humbly remember what other people have done for you?

• To ignore what the world owes you, and to think about what you owe the world?

• To put your rights in the background, and put your responsibility to do a little more than just your duty in the foreground of your life?

• To own up to the fact that probably the only good reason for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give to life?

• To throw away your list of complaints against the management of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness?

 Are you willing to do these things even for one day? Then you can keep Christmas well.

Are you willing…

• To stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children?

• To remember the weakness and loneliness of people growing old?

• To stop wondering how much your friends and family love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough?

• To bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts and on their backs, and to help them carry the weight of their burdens?

• To try to understand what those who live in the same home or dorm with you really want and need, without waiting for them to tell you?

• To make a grave for your ugly thoughts, and an orchard for your kind and loving thoughts and feelings, with the gate open, for others to come in and share?

Are you willing to do those things, even for one day? Then you can keep Christmas well.

Are you willing...

To believe that love is the strongest thing in the world, stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death – and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem two thousand years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love?

If so, then you will keep Christmas well and it will be happy for you. And if you can keep it for that one day, why not always? But… you can never keep it alone.

Sanctuary Christmas Tree (viewed from exterior of church)

The Blessing

Now for your blessing

Let us pray…

Lord Jesus, master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon us to prepare us for Christmas. We who have so much and have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete and lasting happiness of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in the darkness of this world, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Bow your heads for the blessing.

May the blessing of joy abide WITHIN you…
May the blessing of peace rest UPON you…
May the blessing of love flow out THROUGH you…

May you be filled with the wonder of Mary,

the obedience of Joseph,

the joy of the angels,

the eagerness of the shepherds,

the determination of the magi,

and the peace of the Christ child.

May Almighty God, + Father, Son and Holy Spirit + bless you now and forever. Amen