When the holidays come to an end
Actors perform a nativity scene as performers on stilts walk past behind during the Winneba Fancy Dress, known locally as Kakamotobi, on January 2, 2017, in the coastal town of Winneba. PHOTO | AFP
What you need to know:
- Our experience in spiritual life can feel the same. God’s ways are not our ways. Christian life, even in moments that are more extraordinary, always goes back to being ordinary.
- If we want work together with God, we have to do it in the little things of everyday life.
The three wise men went to Bethlehem to adore Jesus. The Magi saw the magnificent star leading the way. They saw it come to a halt over the house where Jesus was lying in the arms of his mother Mary. The gospel says that they “rejoiced with exceeding great joy”. They presented their gifts and shared their happiness. But no matter how great that moment was, they eventually had to go home. They had to go back to normal life.
You may feel a bit the same way now that the holidays are behind us. You know from experience that ordinary life can be a bit boring. The “same old, same old.” The Christmas celebrations filled you with feel a special thrill. You could understand why sacred Scripture commands: “Sing a new song to the Lord!” But once you have sung that song, is there anything you can do except try to sing it again? And when you sing it again, won’t it feel like an “old song”?
WORK AND REST
The three wise men left Bethlehem and began their journey back to their native land. They had to cross the same deserts, the same mountains and the same rivers. They had to endure the same cold nights and the same scorching sun at noon.
The weeks and months and years rolled by. Perhaps they took the trouble to get news from travellers coming from Israel. They wanted to know how the “new born king” was making progress as he reached maturity. When would he take his place on the throne? The wise men would be waiting for something great to happen, something worthy of a king destined to rule over the world forever. They would wait and wonder why this King of kings and Lord of lords seemed to have no interest in using his power to conquer the world.
Our experience in spiritual life can feel the same. God’s ways are not our ways. Christian life, even in moments that are more extraordinary, always goes back to being ordinary. God works miracles. But he seems more interested in the kind of life that Jesus himself lived for many years in Nazareth—a life of work and rest, a life of religious ceremonies and family gatherings.
We need faith to see God behind the normal events. With the beginning of every new day, kneel down and tell Jesus: “Here I am Lord, ready to serve you. I have a lot to do today. Let’s do it together. You and me, Lord, side by side.”
If we want work together with God, we have to do it in the little things of everyday life. When we live this way, our Lord teaches us to discover a hidden joy waiting for us in our daily routine.
