From the Editor | Enjoying the not yet — right now

Enjoying the not yet — right now

A bike, a chemistry set and a desk —strangely, are about the only Christmas gifts I can recall. Memories of Christmas mornings are a happy flurry of tearing open gifts, assembling things, being torn away for dinner and then returning to toys. 

Admittedly, the days approaching Christmas drummed up occasional, yet fearful dwellings about any acts of mischief I had gotten myself into over the prior year, but for the most part, I was so happy that I could not sit still, let alone sleep. (I always struggled to put a tag on that feeling, but I now realize that it was hope — hope that the joys of Christmas did indeed await me.)

Just to be sure that I was going to be happy on Christmas morning, I confess to searching high and low for the gifts, but found no proof. (The toys were at my grandparents’ home — my parents trusted us no further than they could throw us.)

Despite coming up with no proof, I knew that Santa Claus and my parents had somehow collaborated to bring toys for my brothers and me. They loved us. That was a definite. No matter what happened on those days leading up to Christmas, I was happy because of the good things that had been prepared for me. 

Do you know where I’m going?

A baby was born with a message that the Kingdom of God has been prepared for us.

Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Matthew 29:34)

Just as I wasn’t able to see my presents before Christmas, I know that something beautiful and joyful has been prepared and awaits us – even if it’s just not yet time to see it.  God loves us. This is a definite. And His Kingdom is coming. No matter the difficulties in the days leading up to the Kingdom, I’m enjoying the not yet — right now. 

May your days be filled with joy-filled hope of the promise given to us in Bethlehem.

Chorbishop John D. Faris