Be of Good Cheer and Take Courage

The season of Advent is here and Christmas is just round the corner.  We all look forward to the Christmas tree, the decorations, the lights, the crib. We are busy with buying and wrapping presents, writing and posting cards. We find ourselves humming familiar carols. We dig out our reds and greens from the back of our wardrobes. We are hoping to see family whom we haven’t seen in months. We are awaiting the celebration of the birth of our Savior.

As the world sings about the little baby soon to be born, our Mass readings of the last two weeks in Ordinary time are from the Book of Revelation. The first line of the first verse says, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him, to show His servants what must happen soon.”  And the Book talks not of the first but of the Second Coming of Christ, and we are told of what will be at the end. It is hardly the stuff Christmas carols are made out of.

In our Gospel readings for this time, Jesus tells us not to be terrified when we hear of wars and insurrections, and that though we will be persecuted, not a hair on our heads will be destroyed, encouraging us to persevere. He says, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Not be terrified when the media is all about violence, murder, accidents, and rapes? Take courage when there is war and unrest all around us? When even faithful Christians double lock their doors and take insurance on all their possessions?

The prince of this world, Satan, delights in keeping people in the coils of terror. He keeps the dark clouds of fear and doubt low on the horizon. He paints the future with empty strokes of hopelessness and despair. And he hides behind the drapes of skepticism and unbelief and within the folds of anonymity. He tries to make us forget the promises of Christ. He wants us to doubt the Word of God.

But whom shall we choose to put our trust in? The One who says He is with us always, or the one who frightens us into thinking we travel this world alone? The One who reassures us that despite all we might face in this world, we have a hope and a future, a sure heavenly destiny, or one who whispers to us to Eat, Drink and be Merry for tomorrow we die?

Brothers and sisters, let us choose the Light over the darkness, and let us live that choice joyfully, that there is no shadow of doubt in the minds of those we encounter as to where we stand.

This Christmas, let us celebrate the Birth of our Lord with good cheer, and look forward to His Second Coming, keeping in mind the Lord’s promise, “Take courage; I have overcome the world.”