Christmas Day
“Madonna and Her Children” - Evelyn Astegno
Hectic Joy: A Reflection on the First Christmas and Today
By Emily Claire Schmitt
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
By the time the shepherds heard about the first Christmas, they were already late. (Granted, not as late as the three kings.) They rushed to the location and found things a bit hectic. The baby was sleeping in a manger, surrounded by animals. Imagine the smell! The family, for their part, probably weren’t expecting guests. They had nothing prepared. They were exhausted. They were confused.
And yet.
Every person here was experiencing the greatest moment of joy of their life so far. The shepherds were so filled with joy they rushed out to tell everyone they knew what they had seen. All who heard it were amazed.
All of this makes me feel a lot better about my Christmas preparations. For my husband and me, it’s our first Christmas as parents, and we’re flying halfway across the country. I just found out that the sheets we have don’t fit the crib my parents bought. The only time I have to see my dear friends from high school directly conflicts with a party with extended family. I have more baby clothes with variations of “My First Christmas” on them than one baby could possibly wear, but he’s outgrown all his socks. Oh, and I haven’t wrapped my husband’s gifts yet.
But somehow, by the time you read this letter, through God’s grace, we will all be in such a state of joy that none of this will matter. With all the critiques I have of the way our culture celebrates Christmas (truly, I can be such a Grinch), I can’t help but wonder if the hectic nature of the season is part of what God intended. After all, the Holy Family experienced the same chaos.
Shuffling from home to home, desperate, tired from travel, they found themselves in the last place they wanted to be. But peace found them, as it can for each one of us, on this special day. There is just something about Christmas. It arrives whether we are ready or not, and it burns like a star until each of us is consumed by light.
It’s here now. Wherever you are, drop everything and rejoice. Christ the Savior is born!
Also, your doorbell just rang. Time to start the celebration.
Emily Claire Schmitt is a playwright, screenwriter, and dramaturge. She is also the Executive Director of The Catholic Artist Connection. This Christmas, catch “A Dance in the Snow” streaming on Hallmark+.
Evelyn Astegno is a painter and devotional artist based in St. Louis. She also sings in her church’s choir. You can find out more about her on Facebook and her website.
Christine in Action is the creator of “Musical Catechesis” — catchy, authentically Catholic songs and videos that make learning the Faith fun and easy for the whole family. Her mission is to make Catholic faith formation memorable, accessible, and joyful through the power of music!