Christmas 2024: The Child Within is the Treasure of Prayer

As we move through the Christmas Season, let us consider the depth of Christ’s Love for us in coming to us in the flesh in the humble manger in Bethlehem. He came not to a CEO, a President, or a King, but to a humble little family. He made them HOLY by becoming human and sanctifying their loving union. Joseph and Mary were committed to one another in a virginal and yet profoundly passionate love. The love of Jesus in their midst strengthened them all the more to accept the world as the gift that it is, and their prayers for us all with their newborn King changed the world.

We too can enter into this prayerful posture of receptivity. We too can accept the invitation to seek this treasure in Jesus’ love. He is the only One who can inspire and uplift us. He is the only One who can help us know the truth and to be unafraid of what it will do for us. Jesus Himself told us, “The truth will make you free.” This freedom is being offered to us by Jesus Himself, but He offers it to us through one another. Every opportunity He gives us to love comes with every encounter we have with one another. 

Every moment, we can share the Christmas Joy with others or not. Every day, we have the opportunity to speak the truth with love, to share the Gospel without fear. This is the time of year where great gifts are shared with one another, and yet the greatest gift of all comes to us on Christmas Day before any other gift is opened. Jesus Himself is the Treasure buried in the field, and the field where the shepherd’s kept watch over their flocks by night became the field where this treasure was revealed for the first time. In their joy, they sought the newborn King with everything they had.

The Magi followed the Star of Bethlehem, the Light of the World to the humble stable, and on this Epiphany, they had their “A-ha!” moment when their minds were renewed. When they encountered the most powerful King and Lord of the Universe as a vulnerable little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, they must have paused in absolute awe at such a treasure of true Wisdom. These Wise Men finally could see as God sees, and so they returned home a different way, changed forever because of the insight God had given them.

The Great Novena is meant to do this for us as well. This is a great light of goodness, truth, and beauty in our beloved Archdiocese of Louisville. This is an opportunity to pray together like never before. Essentially, the Great Novena is a prayer first and foremost and you participate most simply by praying the prayer in solidarity with others. 

From this prayer, we hope it inspires many to start or join a small group, seek spiritual direction, or counseling—as well as help us all to create the infrastructure and culture that supports these personal encounters. That infrastructure includes bigger events in the universal and Archdiocesan Church (retreats, conferences, liturgical events, service, courses, adventure, etc.) as well as developing support systems for small group leaders, priests and others providing spiritual direction, counseling, etc. 

Both the grassroots relational work as well as the infrastructural / cultural work are meant to give God to space to transform our hearts and re-establish the sacramental worldview in society. This means seeing God in everything and meeting Jesus in everyone, even in our everyday loved experiences of birthdays, concerts, sports, family life, and more—all to build union in the Church and solidarity in the world. 

That begins this year from Advent through Christmas and beyond. As we welcome the birth of Jesus into our hearts this year, let us continue to go on Mission in the Eucharistic Revival by inviting and inspiring everyone we know to join the movement of Louisville’s Great Novena by just praying with us. Remember, Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. If we remain in Him and He remains in us, we will change the world. Without Him though, we can do nothing. Trust in Jesus, surrender to His love, and marvel at the Holy Family’s Treasure Trove in His little newborn body.

As always, we invite you to consider starting a small group of 5-8 people in your parish or community to reflect on this theme in these weeks of Winter’s purity. After many years of hardship and suffering, perhaps these will be the years where He washes away the darkness and brings the innocence of childhood, laughter, joy, and purity again into our hearts. Please pray for the Great Novena Task Force and all those discerning their commitment to this great movement. Now, let us pray our Official Prayer of Union and Solidarity for Louisville’s Great Novena.

Advent 2024: It's Time to Invite Everyone to Pray