Monday of the 4th Week of Advent

He will be called John - Luke

John the Baptist was Elizabeth’s miracle baby – the child this barren woman was never supposed to have.

It turns out she had good reason to ignore the tradition of naming her son after his father or other relatives when she announced that “he will be called John,” a choice that Zachariah confirmed. But why was this such a big deal that God restored the speech that Zachariah had lost when he doubted his wife’s pregnancy?

Googling “John” revealed that in Hebrew it means “God is gracious.” In short, Elizabeth was thanking God for her incredible gift. This turns a story about naming a child into a timely opportunity to reflect on the gifts God has given each of us. Let me share one of my favorite holiday customs.

As an antidote to the last- minute shopping, cooking, cleaning and mailing, I reserve an evening hour during the week before Christmas for what I will now call my “God is gracious” timeout.

I turn off all the lights except the Christmas ones and play a couple of St. Louis Jesuit Advent hymns to quiet my mind. When I’m completely relaxed, I read Luke’s glorious Christmas gospel while listening to “Angels We Have Heard on High” followed by “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night.” I try to imagine the scene outside Bethlehem when the angels appeared to the shepherds. As a sense of peace washes over me, I thank God for his many gifts, especially for the people who have blessed my life.

I remember childhood Christmases with my parents and sibling.

I recall the annual party that the sisters in my community hosted that taught me how sacred socializing can be. We each placed an ornament on the tree while telling one thing for which we were grateful.  Over the years, this party became a treasured way of finding God in all things.

I hope you have similar memories, traditions and rituals that speak to you of God’s graciousness and remind you that time with loved ones is holy.  May God’s peace and joy be with you and yours!