Bishop: Unwrap the gift of Christmas and open your hearts

Some years ago, when I was a parish priest, I remember receiving a gift-wrapped box from a married couple, both of whom were very involved in the life of the parish.

I did not open the gift in their presence. When I opened it later, I discovered it was a beautiful desk clock. But much to my surprise, there was a gold-plated engraving which read, “Congratulations, [Name of parishioner], on your retirement.”

Of course, I was touched by the thought of this couple to give me a gift, and a beautiful one at that. Yet, it was obvious to me that they not only recycled the gift, but they also never opened it up.

When the wife learned about the mishap, she was mortified and immediately had a gold-plated engraving made, which had my name on it. Every time I look at that clock, I am reminded not only of the kindness of this couple, but also of the gifts in our lives that often remained unopened or unused.

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Today, the entire world celebrates the precious gift of Emmanuel, “God with us." “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

God loves us so much that he gave us the gift of his only begotten Son, who comes to save us.

I think we all have heard some incredible stories of people being rescued from danger and death, thanks to the courageous efforts of others. Christmas is the beginning of the story of our great rescue in the person of Jesus, who comes to save us from sin and death.

Jesus seeks to be in a relationship with us and calls us friends: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you." (John 15:13-14). What a gift!

Now, let us unpack this gratuitous gift of Jesus.

This gift is a presence the world needs, for Jesus is with us with every breath and step. “And behold, I am with you always until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20).

This divine gift accompanies us and reveals a power that heals, transforms and unites. That power is love. “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.” (John 15:9)

God knows our world needs this power now more than ever before. The promise of this power is peace. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)

And the fruit of this presence, love and peace is joy. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)

In his Apostolic Exhortation, “The Joy of the Gospel,” Pope Francis notes that the most compelling manifestations of joy he has witnessed in his life were in those who were poor and had little to hold onto. He writes, “In their own way, all these instances of joy flow from the infinite love of God, who has revealed himself to us in Christ Jesus.” (The Joy of the Gospel, #7) Jesus is the ultimate source of joy and the answer to all our needs.

And finally, I will shift gears to quote a popular 1965 song, “What the World Needs Now, is Love, Sweet Love." The celebration of Christmas and the coming of Emmanuel echoes that sentiment and expands upon it with the gifts of divine presence, love, peace and joy.

When we take the time to regularly encounter Jesus in prayer, we unwrap a special relationship with the promise of so many gifts. We also come to discover that Jesus provides all that we need to live a full life.

How sad it is when we look for these gifts in all the wrong places. Worse yet, how unfortunate it is when we fail to unwrap, open and share these gifts, which are all about life. Jesus came to give us this rich gift of life: “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:11)

One year, I received a Christmas card which said, “Christmas began in the heart of God, and it is not complete until it reaches the heart of man." Let us unwrap the gift of Christmas by intentionally opening our hearts to God and one another.

I wish you and yours a Merry and complete Christmas!

The Most Rev. David J. Bonnar was ordained and installed as the sixth bishop of Youngstown on Jan. 12, 2021. The Diocese of Youngstown encompasses six counties: Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark and Trumbull. Bishop Bonnar is also editor of The Priest magazine and a former chaplain to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Bishop David Bonnar: Unwrap the gift of Christmas and open your hearts