Christmas Memories of Rome
One of the joys of my studies for the priesthood was being ordained in Rome. We were ordained on one of the Ember Days preceding this great feast of the Birth of Christ.
Those who were ordained were vested in violet, the color that bespeaks penance. The Ember Days were devoted to prayer, fasting and almsgiving in the mind and practice of the Chruch. They were intended to draw us away from our self-centeredness. They called us to center instead on God and those in need. They called us to share with those in need without entering into any judgement on them.
A time of penance, but for us ordinands it was naturally a time of great joy. And it was an opportunity to celebrate Mass in the great churches of Rome with their magnificent crèches.
Christmas is a time I believe that reminds us of who Christ is; how He came to save us. His love for us caused Him to be born as a helpless infant. He was dependent on His mother Mary and His foster father Joseph.
The shepherds who came to see Jesus and the Wise men who travelled to see Him are models to us of how we come to Jesus, accept Jesus as the Son of God most high. As disciples of Jesus we too must seek Him daily in our lives. And often we are called to find Him in others.
It is interesting that the Church ends the weeklong Feast of Christmas this year with the Feast of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Look at their example. They were believing and observant members of the Jewish Faith. Mary and Joseph took the Infant to the temple for the ritual requirement of their faith. This is an example to parents to fulfill what the Church asks of parents in regard to the sacraments and Mass participation and prayer and being taught the Faith.
Perhaps that example was behind an interesting custom I remember from those days leading up to Christmas in Rome. The ancient churches erected a special podium to be used by children. They would come in the afternoons after siesta, and recite poetry about the birth of Christ or tell stories of Christmas. And there were always people there to listen to the children and be edified by their presentation. Perhaps this custom would be a good Christmas practice in families, children and parents together celebrating the coming of our Lord.
Msgr. Thomas P. Hadden