A sermon on Matthew 1:18-24
Fr. Mike Paraniuk
HCP columnist
Christmas is the story of Heaven coming to earth.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2.) The Bible describes what God does in Heaven. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Rev. 21:4.)
Heaven is a place where Peace, Joy, Life and Love never end. Heaven is a place where God accepts anyone who sincerely seek Him from their hearts.
Jesus began His ministry on earth proclaiming to any one who would listen, "From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” ( Matthew 4:17.)
Jesus did more than just preach. He showed in action what Heaven looks like. He removed pain by curing the sick. "The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them." (Matthew 11:5.)
He brought the Good News that God loves everyone without exception. Sinners, outcasts and the "nobodies" have a seat at God's Heavenly table. Jesus was in the business of making sorrowful people joyful again right from the moment of His birth. The angels announced to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." (Luke 2:10.)
Christmas is the celebration of joy that Jesus brings. But Christmas is more than just a celebration. Jesus wants His followers to continue His work of bringing Heaven to earth. God calls you to lessen the pain of sorrow where ever you find it.
God calls you to give hope to the hopeless and love to the unloved. Be kind and compassionate to people whose life has not treated them kindly. Joseph was kind to Mary. He did not want to expose her to shame.
There are many people who carry the burden of shame. They believe their very existence is a mistake. The story of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" is a story of body shaming being turned into self worth just as he is.
We give gifts at Christmas to show love and bring joy. It is a way to say, "You are important to me."
Do you not feel joy when another considers you to be special? I share this story:
A little town was dressed in twinkling lights and evergreen garlands, but for Thomas, he felt an emptiness that a Christmas celebration could not fill.
It was his first holiday alone since Margaret had passed. The house was too quiet, the tree too small, and the stockings – only one now – hung like a reminder of what was missing. Thomas put on his coat and stepped into the night.
At the street corner, he saw a young woman in a thin coat, holding the hand of a boy no older than 6. They stood outside the toy shop, gazing at a wooden train set in the window. The boy’s eyes were wide with wonder, but the woman’s lips were tightly pressed together as if holding back words she couldn’t say.
Thomas hesitated. He didn’t know them. But something in the boy’s small, mittened hand clutching his mother’s sleeve stirred a memory – Margaret’s laugh as she wrapped gifts for the neighborhood children, saying, “Christmas isn’t about what you keep, Tom. It’s about what you give away.”
He stepped into the shop. Ten minutes later, he emerged with the train set in a brown paper bag.
"Excuse me," he said softly, approaching them. "I think this belongs to you."
The woman blinked, startled. "Oh, no, sir, we couldn’t—"
"It’s already paid for," Thomas interrupted, placing the bag gently into the boy’s hands. "Consider it… a gift from someone who once knew the joy of a Christmas morning."
The boy’s face lit up with joy. "Thank you, mister!" he said, hugging the box to his chest.
The woman’s eyes shimmered. "I don’t know how to thank you."
"You just did," Thomas replied.
As he walked home, the snow seemed brighter, the air warmer. He felt Margaret beside him – not in the ache of loss, but in the quiet joy of giving.
And that night, when he hung his single stocking by the fire, he didn’t feel lonely at all. (Author unknown)
Happy Advent.
Blessings, Fr. Mike.