Christmas Eve, 2010

My family and I have been to Mass, opened presents, and shortly two of my kids will be playing a new Wii game. It's been a good evening, and promises to continue to be so.

Today is Christmas Eve, tomorrow's Christmas day. Under, behind, and beyond the commercial and cultural accretions - which I enjoy - there's a simple story.

"⁶ Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, ⁷ but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, ⁸ yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord ⁹ appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, ¹⁰ because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ¹¹ 'Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,' which means 'God is with us.' When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, ¹² and he named him Jesus."
(Matthew 1:18-25)

About a third of a century later, Jesus went into the desert, came back, and changed the world.

But that's another story.

Somewhat-related posts:

• " 'Jesus, Remember Me, When You Come Into Your Kingdom' "
  (November 21, 2010)
• "Mary, Mother of Jesus: Reading Glasses for Catholics"
  (August 15, 2010)
• "Christmas Nativity Scenes and St. Francis of Assisi"
  (December 24, 2009)
• "Firebase Earth"
  (April 5, 2009)