The Christmas Stocking

With the arrival of another snowstorm, thoughts of the Rose Cottage came to mind. I tried to imagine what was happening up there, with snow swirling through the pines and little animal prints in the snow. During a recent illness I found myself wishing I was there, walking around the lake, instead of here, blowing my nose. It is very easy to find ourselves wishing for the wrong thing, just like the bishop discovered in the old black and white Christmas movie, “The Bishop’s Wife.”

Photo by Chris Vanhove

Those familiar with the movie will remember that the bishop was hyperfocused on building an enormous cathedral (a symbol of worldly distractions), even at the cost of weakening his marriage. He was terrified that he might not accomplish the cathedral project, so he began to pray to God for help. Help arrived, but not in the way the bishop expected. Help arrived in the form of an angel named Dudley.

The angel reminded the bishop about something we all need reminding about from time to time, especially at Christmas time: we can all become distracted by worldly matters at this time of year, but Christmas is not about worldly things. It is about gathering with family and friends, taking care of our struggling neighbors, cherishing the moments together, and counting our tremendous blessings. Most importantly, Christmas is about Jesus, who intentionally come into a broken world to offer us the greatest Christmas gift of all: eternal life with Him.

Photo by Kenny Eliason

Father Mike Schmitz, a frequent speaker for Ascension Press, shared that he could also become hyper focused on the wrong thing at times. He is a self-described perfectionist, and this leads him to become too focused on himself, on saying the perfect words or writing the perfect homily. Yet, when this happens to him, he always remembers the words his mother would say to him while he was growing up: “Remember who the star of the show is.”

Dudley the angel was able to remind the bishop who the star of the show is at Christmas time, and always. It is Christ.

The movie ends with a completely transformed bishop giving a homily that Dudley wrote. It is a homily that truly captures the heart of Christmas:

Tonight, I want to tell you a story about an empty stocking. Once upon a midnight clear, there was child’s cry. A blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven’t forgotten that night through the centuries. We’ve celebrated with stars hung on the Christmas tree, and the cry of bells and gifts, especially with gifts. We buy them and wrap them and give them. You give me a tie and I give you a book. Aunt Martha always wanted an orange squeezer. Uncle Harry can use a new pipe. Oh, we forget nobody, adult or child. All, that is, except one.

And we have even forgotten to hang up it up. The stocking for a child born in a manger. It’s his birthday we’re celebrating! Don’t let us ever forget that. Let us ask ourselves, ‘What would He wish for most?’ And then, let us each put in our share: loving kindness, warm hearts, and the stretched-out hand of tolerance. All the shiny gifts that make peace on earth.

Photo by Addy Mae

May we all be transformed this Christmas, wishing for the things that really matter. Let us fill a Christmas stocking for Christ, not built to hold material things. Let us fill it, instead, with Christmas wishes that the ill and the wounded will be healed and wars will end. That the blind will see, and the deaf will hear. Let us fill it with desires for our spiritual transformation, increased generosity, compassion, humility and patient hearts. And, of course, let us make a sincere Christmas wish for peace on earth and goodwill toward all mankind.

Merry Christmas!

May God bless you with His wisdom and loving guidance.

And may your hearts be opened to receive Him.