November 26, 2010

Emmaus Walk / Debra Tomaselli

Stay in touch with God and others this Christmas and beyond

Debra TomaselliI just finished reading an e-mail from a dear friend. Our paths hadn’t crossed in awhile, and she expressed sadness about that, closing with the following statement:

“Please stay in touch. I think of you so often.”

It might as well have been penned by the hand of God himself.

He thought of us more than 2,000 years ago when he sent his Son to redeem the world.

He thought of us while we were yet in our mother’s womb.

He thinks of us today, in each moment of our lives, in every circumstance of our day.

The question is: Do we stay in touch?

In these days of Advent leading to Christmas, as I crawl in traffic snarls around shopping centers, try to make extravagant purchases on a shoestring budget, and stress over holiday obligations, I wonder if my preparations have been more about consumerism than the One whose birth we are to celebrate.

Then, resilient trumpets squeal “Joy to the World” amidst tinkling Salvation Army bells, a fellow shopper extends a courtesy and dusk delivers a chorus of lights shimmering from nearby rooftops.

“Please stay in touch,” I hear him say. “I think of you so often.”

I open my Bible and study the birth of Christ in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke.

As I begin to pray, my focus shifts. I ponder Mary and Joseph’s trust in God and the unassuming beginnings of his plan of salvation. There is no worldly possessions; no pressing expectations. There is only love.

I continue to read, and the Christ child appears here, in the manger of my heart, delivering harmony, fellowship and good will. An overwhelming conviction arises that these precious gifts far exceed anything money can buy.

This Christmas, may you discover peaceful joys, quiet moments and the everlasting love of Christ. Born in humble surroundings, his presence transcends all ages and reaches into our times, our activities and our hearts.

And let’s promise to stay in touch.

(Debra Tomaselli lives in Altamonte Springs, Fla. Her column appears in several diocesan newspapers. Her e-mail address is dtomaselli@cfl.rr.com.) †

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