The Real Christmas Story is Unsettling

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[chiara]

I just got out of prison, thanks be to God, but there are millions of men and women in jail and prison right now suffering from depression, loneliness, and hostility. Please don’t forget the prisoners at Christmas!

[wranglerboi]

Oddly, I was told this same thing (well, almost the same) when I was in fourth grade by the nun who taught our class. She really told it like it was. I was horrified (being the oldest of 11 children) that NO ONE was willing to provide a space so Mary could have her baby in safety and even a modicum of cleanliness. The fact that it was shepherds and wise men who came to welcome him shocked me when I knew that EVERYONE should be rejoicing over this baby's birth at this time of the year. Instead, our worry is whether we will have all the "right" things for Christmas Dinner, whether the gifts we give to family members will be enjoyed--or even liked, and who is going to win the Christmas Day football games. Like you say, our priority should be reaching out to those who have LESS than we do--and sharing it with them. My parents taught me this valuable lesson every year of my youth. Since my dad was in the military, he would (with my mom's concurrence) invite 10-15 men from his platoon who had nowhere to go for Christmas (or lacked the funds to go home) to our house where they would enjoy the same food and camaraderie that we did. So not only did Mom have enough for the 13 of us in our family but also for the 10-15 who became part of our family for the day. If we could all see Christmas as the day for us to welcome the new-born Jesus along with Mary and Joseph into our lives and hearts, what a better world this could be.

[rosettevillamor]

I was educated by this vlog. And it gave me, an adult Catholic like myself, a spiritual awakening to the true and yet challenging message of Christimas. By the grace of God, I pray that this message of Christmas shines through in the exercise of my daily life. Thank you so much, Fr. Casey.

[ijn]

As a non-Catholic I found this deeply compelling. I think in our desire to glorify God (as we should) it's easy to forget the human message in Jesus story. The fact that his life was filled with suffering and that he reached out to the suffering makes Him such a personal God for me and makes me want to care more like Him.

[idaliagonzalez]

out of all your videos, this one is a keeper to meditate on. As adults, we can no longer see Christ as a baby, but a man that changed the world and is asking us to continue that change in us. Thank you... left me in tears

[romariomendes]

For a person who is away from home and family during Christmas in a very different land in a very different situation this was a powerful message. This is not one of the most comfortable Christmas for me but makes me atleast think about those who are worse off all over the world. Merry Christmas!

[ssgsorrels]

I just went to my first catholic mass last week. You and father Patrick had a big part to play. I plan on (hopefully) making it through the process and getting baptized as well. Thank you for reinvigorating my interest in my spiritual health

[terraganbrouk]

Amen, Father Casey! Thank you for humbling us to the meaning of this season and encouraging the spirit of giving and love.

[jehsdca]

Thank you for reminding us of the rest of the Christmas story! May we never forget the whole story of Christmas.

[williammenzel]

I'm a diocesan priest. I hope you don't mind if I use some of these ideas in my Christmas homilies. Thank you for your media ministry!

[dawnlapka]

"The Christmas story is a call for repentance." Yep. Well said, Father Casey.

[joncarsello]

I feel this is an important video. For me the Catholic Church in it’s pure state is the church of compassion for the poor and those who have been disenfranchised by the world . The circumstances of Jesus’s birth is important for us to understand in the truthful but painful way you have described it. Thank you Father.

[Trackhouse]

This one really touched my heart, Fr. Casey. In all the joys and comforts the world gives us for this time of year, it’s a heavy reminder that there was nothing comfortable about the way Christ came into the world. Thank you for this video.

[markanthonymuya]

Fr. Casey, thank you for making the audiobook "called"! I just finished hearing it. More inspiration from God be with you!

[matthewkennedy]

Certainly a very sobering and thought-provoking Christmas message. Thank you, Br Casey and best wishes to you this Christmas.

[vicenzostella]

I thank my parents and the schools they put me in for always reminding me of the unfortunate truths of this world, which allowed me to be thankful for every gift I have been granted in this life. I still remember my mother reminding me what a manger was, and how poor the situation actually was.

[richardroberts]

Thanks for the reminder in your message that there are many people who are experiencing hardship in our communities. I volunteer at the Gateway of Hope shelter twice a week and with the extreme cold weather we are currently having the need is even greater than normal. I see so many people in terribly lost states, just today facing the cold and having no food many have nothing, many have sunk to the bottom of the pit with no way out - it is so sad but a blessing to be able help these folks Br. Deacon Rich Roberts, CJ

[kemmow]

This one way a hard one for me to watch, but you are right. I have been this whole Advent season asking myself what else and more I can do. So, I made it a point to pray more (going to daily mass 3x per week or reading my daily prayer book more, trying to give both more of my time, my ear or money to those who are in more need. And when people asked me what I wanted, I said, nothing and if they insisted, I asked that donate funds to charities that help the homeless and less fortunate kids. I am finding myself that as I get closer to midnight mass, I want to give more of myself and things. You did a good job, and I am sure this one was a hard one to make. This is reminding me of a good homily that we all need to hear and be reminded of but is often not "popular or easy to hear".

But sometimes we all need to hear the open heart of Jesus, look through the eyes of his beloved, strong and loving mother, Mary and look inward. I am just very thankful for the many gifts (My Family, Kids, Wife and others), abilities god has given me and the opportunities. Now I just hope that I will always remember to use them for the good and for others less in need and on the margins. Many blessings from a cold, windy and snowing Southern WI and I hope the Friers have a good end of Advent and Warms and Welcoming Christmas Season.

[ArtisticLayman]

This video reminds me of how terms like oppression, poverty, and suffering have been politically abused to the point of meaninglessness.

[cjambrosiodmd]

Let us Praise God and be grateful. And choose to be happy for this season. Merry Christmas to you too and to all!