Tuesday, December 8, 2009

American bravery and goodness in war at Christmas time

  Recently, I have been reflecting upon the great importance that Americans place upon Christmas.  Yes, our nation is involved in a great war over Christmas.  The atheists, secularists, and materialists want to remove the most important aspect of Christmas, the Nativity.  They would make Christmas a purely secular day, without meaning.

    Yet, Americans love Christmas. Americans love Christmas trees, Christmas decorations, Christmas carols and giving and receiving Christmas gifts. They also love Midnight Mass.  Midnight Mass at Christmas is probably the single day of greatest attendance across the USA.

    Sadly, because of the shortage of priests and the crisis that exists, Midnight Mass is not always what it used to be.  A friend of mine who years ago worked in a nursing home commented to me how a number of the non-Catholics at the facility where he worked told him how happy they were to attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, year after year.

    Despite the many horrors that take place in America today, Christmas still is important. 

    I believe that Christmas is so important to Americans because of a goodness that exists in Americans.  Every year at Christmas this is brought out, by the enthusiasm that exists.  Children today, who are so exposed to secular culture, still marvel at a Creche, at a Christmas tree, at Christmas Carols.  Perhaps these aspects of Christmas don't have the importance that they should, but nonetheless it is palpable.

    I have been reading a military history book that has given me some insight into this goodness.

    Near the end of World War II, near the German village of Gesseln the local parish priest was preparing to offer Mass in a local barn, prepared for Mass.  The Germans troops had fled the area and the Americans had not yet arrived.  The Nazis filled the German citizenry with horror stories of what the Americans would do to them. 

    As Father was offering Mass, he heard the approaching noise of engines and the clatter of tank treads.  Nevertheless, he continued with Mass.  The people in fear, drew closer to the altar.  Some even approached Father to warn him that the Americans had arrived.  Father continued with Mass. 

    Out of the side of his eye he saw an American tank approach the barn.  He heard the tank pull right up to the doors of the barn.  He feared that at any second, the tank would fire its guns resulting in a massacre.

    He heard some disturbance in the back, at the doors, but he continued without interruption. 

    At the end of Mass when he turned to face the congregation he saw the American tank crew out of their tanks and kneeling in reverence with their heads uncovered.  The priest then knew that they were going to be okay.

    This goodness, rare among nations during war time, is one example of this goodness that exists in Americans.

    As Children of Mary, we need to cultivate this goodness.  By following as much as possible the ten ways to honor Christ publicly this Christmas, as listed at www.anf.org we can help to direct this goodness toward the Holy Family and out of love for Them towards their neighbor.  

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