“You say, Oh what a weariness!” (Malachi 1:13)

“Let us not become weary in doing good…” (Galatians 6:9)

Perhaps the world hasn’t changed as much as we may think. The Christmas story began with the taxation of people who felt oppressed enough already. Times were hard, often corrupt, and always busy. Tidings of comfort and joy also came with plenty of worries for the young parents.

It is the week of Advent Joy, but there seems to be a good deal of Advent tension. Does Gabriel ever want to say, “Back away from the Christmas rush, take a deep breath and turn your eyes toward Jesus?” Have we lost our ability to balance life?

In the Gospel, true Christmas came to the ones who made room and time for Jesus. Shepherds left their flocks, Magi their observatory, someone opened up their stable to strangers in need. We must be careful lest we find that Christmas has come and gone, and we missed it. Jesus said that we can be busy about many things when one thing is needed. That one thing is a simpler life of loving God and each other.

Somewhere amid a world called busy is a kind and quiet place where we can still find God. He has come near to us; let’s make sure that we have time, and room in our heart, for Jesus.

“Said the king to the people everywhere:
‘Listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere
Listen to what I say
The child, the child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light”