Christmas is about Christ, not an iPad

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By Fr. Guillermo Trevino

My little sister asked me a few weeks ago what I wanted for Christmas. That was a difficult question for me to answer. What do I want for Christmas? A year ago, I would have answered, I want this movie or this gift card. This year I was speechless and said, “I’m not sure.”

Contributed Father Guillermo Trevino stands outside of Church of Nativity in Bethlehem.
Contributed
Father Guillermo Trevino stands outside of Church of Nativity in Bethlehem.

My sister said, “Don’t you know what this season’s about, giving?” I said, “No, it’s about the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.” With Black Friday and all this Christmas shopping, I think we have forgotten that. It does not matter what one receives for Christmas because it is not about us. On my Facebook page I usually write every year, “Happy Birthday Jesus!” and get many likes.

The birth of Christ and his resurrection are the greatest events of all time. Christ became like us. He could have picked any species, an angel, the angels thought, but he became man. When I was in Bethlehem, a little over a month ago, I saw the 14-point star which marks the spot where Christ was born. Next to it was a manger made of stone. I celebrated Mass in Bethlehem that day we were there and it was an amazing experience.

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As a new priest, I have realized that nothing else matters. When we put Our Lord Jesus Christ first, many graces come as a result. I tell people, I’ve never been happier in my life and I feel it is because of putting God first. What do most of us put first in our lives? Family, our careers, money, maybe even our cellphones.

I’m not saying those things are not important, but when we put God first everything else grows from that. I can personally attest that my love for my family, my parishioners and others has never been greater since I put God first. My love through the grace of God has grown so much and I challenge everyone to do the same.

I hear from people, “Father, I’m busy. Father, I don’t have time to do what you ask.” I try to respond with what Archbishop Fulton Sheen always said on praying a holy hour every day. When you’re busy, pray two holy hours. We should never be too busy for God.

May you have a wonderful and Merry Christmas and always remember Christ is the reason for the season.

(Fr. Trevino serves St. Peter Parish in Buffalo and St. Alphonsus and St. Mary parishes in Davenport.)

 


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