Christmas Reflection--Fr. Joseph

Many animals were discussing the essence of Christmas:
 "Obviously, most important are the delicious, festive foods" – said the fox.
"I think its snow --- lots of snow and frost" – said the polar bear.
"I have a Christmas tree. Without it, there is no Christmas " – the doe interjected.
"And I need a new suit" – said the Peacock.
"Why has no one mentioned the cakes, cookies, chocolate and other sweets.--Christmas without them is no holiday " – muttered the badger.
"For me --- the most important thing is to rest and sleep. I look forward to it all year " – muttered the bear.
 "Yes, to rest and sleep --- but also to drink well " – said the ox. But as he spoke --- he groaned in pain, --- because the donkey had given him a solid kick --- and said:
"Did you forget about the child?" 
 Embarrassed --- the ox hung his head sadly. ---"Yes.      You're right.      The child is the most important. "
But do people know this?" – said the donkey.
Dear friends.
We enjoy Christmas --- because there are good feelings --- and so much fun.
Christmas day takes us to a different, better world.
The Christmas manger --- the Christmas trees decorated with lights and the Christmas carols --- these, make us feel good.
In such an idyllic atmosphere we reflect on our experiences, and respond to the question:
What really happened that night? ---- and what is most important about Christmas?
 "Awake, O man: for you, God became a man! ---
Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead ----
and may Christ shine upon you. ---- To you, I say, God became man."
 With these words --- St. Augustine awakened consciousness of the people.
With these words, he mobilized those who heard him to realize, what really happened this wonderful night.
It isn't the beautiful and shining decorations --- the romantic songs ---the stable and nativity scene.            
What is important --- is what they say to us?
And the great news is:
God has truly lived among us! 
He came to save us.
He comes into our gray and difficult everyday world, --- to transform it.
How do we respond, to the Good News? 
How do we accept, an incoming Savior?
One legend says, --- that among the shepherds who came at night to adore the Child ---
there was one, so poor, --- that he hadn't made a gift. 
He was very ashamed.
When they arrived at the stable---
one shepherd after another, gave their gifts, --- and Mary was surprised by all the gifts.
 She wanted to accept them, but she was holding the Christ Child ---
and she did not want to offend the shepherds.
When she saw the poor shepherd, --- who had nothing in his hands---
she entrusted him with her Son, for a moment --- while she received the gifts.
 At that moment, --- the poor shepherd's empty hands, --- were his greatest happiness.
Dear friends.
Let us go to Christ --- and let us worship him.
May our gift open our hearts and empty hands, --- that represent our weakness, and helplessness, ---in many of life's problems.
Let us say:
Jesus --- without you, we can do nothing --- and with faith, and openness ---
we welcome you, to our everyday life, --- as Lord, and Savior.