Why did Christ Come???

I'm so fortunate to be able to learn from other people on the Internet.  Father Joe Mulcrone, of the Catholic Office of the Deaf in Chicago (and St. Francis Borgia parish), posted the following meditation on his blog.  It is a reflection originally written in Spanish, "Todos Los Dias Nace El Senor (Every Day the Lord is Born)" by Juan Antonio Espinosa and translated into English by Fr. Kevin Hays:

"For this darkened world, the Lord in born; to conquer darkness, the Lord is born; to change our life,everyday the Lord is born.

To bring us freedom, the Lord is born; to smash our chains, the Lord is born; in each person who is free, everyday the Lord is born.
To take away oppression, the Lord is born; to wipe out injustice, the Lord is born; in those people who cry out, everyday the Lord is born.
To conquer poverty, the Lord is born; for the poor who suffer, the Lord is born; for the equality of the poor, everyday the Lord is born.
To bring us peace, the Lord is born; for a bleeding world, the Lord is born; for each person who struggles, everyday the Lord is born.
To bring us love, the Lord is born; to conquer selfishness, the Lord is born; to take us by the hand, everyday the Lord is born.
For a sleeping world, the Lord is born; to disturb our lives, the Lord is born; in each person who hopes,everyday the Lord is born."

I was very moved by this meditation because it reminds me that the Lord was not just born a little over 2,000 years ago.  He's born everyday, right now, to help with all of these "impossible" causes, dreams and hopes.  As Father Joe noted, it is easy to lose sight of the "real purpose" of Christmas in all of the hustle and bustle of the presents, the tree, the decorations, the parties, the toys.  This meditation reminds us of the TRUE meaning of the Incarnation.

I'm also reminded that "Emmanuel" means "God with us" - God is with us in our struggles, in our troubles, in our triumphs, and in our everyday lives.  He takes "us by the hand" to lead us through this life - IF we let Him.  I've had some health challenges recently and they have brought home to me how much I truly miss God if I don't make the time and space for Him.  For this next year, let's try to remember to make time for the Lord, to recognize the God-with-us, and give thanks for his presence.