(Prayer offered on the Public Address system for the entire La Salle Academy educational community on Tuesday, 4 December 2018)
Let us pause and remember, that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
I love Christmas! It’s not just the beautiful Christmas and Advent music, or the food and family times, or even the animated Christmas specials (although the Charlie Brown one is my favorite). It’s the chance to celebrate that God fulfilled His promise to send His Son to save us—and not wrapped up in jewels, although He is our King, but as a precious, but poor helpless baby. What a gift and what a lesson!
And this year will be even more special because we are also celebrating the 300th year of our founder, St. La Salle, who still guides us today through his words. As Mrs. Da Silva said last week, we see De La Salle’s spirit alive in our school especially in the outpouring of generosity toward the poor. Sure, there are a few who are more like the Grinch or Scrooge, but I’m sure as in the Christmas stories, they too, in time, will find compassion in their hearts. In the words of our Founder, “God inspires us to walk in the footsteps of his Son.” (Med. 3.3)
And maybe we see some who are like Charlie Brown’s sister, Sally, who is so caught up in the material part of the season that she wants Santa to bring her tens and twenties, but again from De La Salle, “Example makes a much greater impression than words.” (MTR 10.3 [Med. 202.3]) so how we live and act can help others to “Walk along God’s path.” (Med. 75.3)
When we think of the Nativity story of Mary and Joseph having to travel along rocky roads and Mary in discomfort with her pregnancy, only to find the door slammed in their faces because there’s no room, it is just like any of us when there are difficult times and our faith wanes. But our Founder said, “Throw yourself into God’s arms. He will carry you when the road is rough.” (Letter-Palm Sunday) We need only to have faith as Joseph and Mary had and accept Christ in our lives. I heard recently a quote by Neal Maxwell, “Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!” And again, from De La Salle, “How long has Jesus been knocking at the door of your heart, waiting to enter?” (Med. 85.1 – Vigil of the Nativity)
We need, then to decide how we will prepare for Christmas in our thoughts and actions, for “we are people whom God has called to live according to the perfection of the Gospel.” (Med. 5.3).
Let us pray. Lord God, may we find the true spirit of Christmas in all of our thoughts, words, and actions. May we be among the faithful who come “joyful and triumphant” and be “visible angels” among all we meet.
St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
Live, Jesus, in our hearts, forever!
Leslie Martinelli–Science Teacher