Emmanuel

 

Naming a new- born baby is such a special thing. Don’t we all wait with a certain excitement for the name a couple will choose for their child.  Jesus brought His own name with Him. The angel announced it to Mary. It  means God Saves . Jesus will be the one  to deliver humanity from all evil, violence and injustice. He will bring in the Reign of God’s mercy and compassion and forgiveness. But there is another astounding name that Jesus has and it is Emmanuel, a name that means God- is- with- us. That is the message of  Christmas. God has come to us as a child. He has not come to impose himself on humanity. He comes with the tenderness of a little child. He is very near to you and me right here in the middle of our lives if we can open ourselves up to the mystery. God can be born in us.  We need not feel alone ever  again. He is with us, in us, upholding us in our joys and  struggles. Thats why the angels sang at the birth of Jesus -  that is the reason  for all the excitement of Christmas.

 But isn’t it true. We must  sit quietly with ourselves and let the mystery dawn on us. Hear the voice of Love sounding within ourselves.  We must let the wonder of God-with-us sweep us off our feet, reduce us to wonder and awe and thanksgiving. Then we will truly rejoice. How the early Christians loved the name of Jesus… They knew He was God- with-them. They lived and died with His name on their lips.

 The young  Carmelite in this photo is called Emmanuel. She is our  dear Vietnamese sister who lived with us in Kilmacud Carmel for 3 years. See her now  in her Carmel of Hue in Vietnam holding out the Infant Lord to us and reminding us of St. Therese’s words:

 I could never be afraid of a God who made Himself so small for love of me… I love Him….

He is all love and mercy.

 Happy Christmas dear reader.  Rejoice! God-is- with-you!