I have never been to the little town of Bethlehem. I do not think I would ever go there. When I was young I recall a news report from Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. I was very excited to see this. Here was the town where Jesus was born, and the television was showing me pictures. I was shocked to see the streets filled with people selling plastic statues of Mary and Joseph and Jesus! Men and women were shoving and pushing to get their shopping done for the holidays. This was not in any sense of the word, the Christmas “spirit. “

I did not like to discover that the streets in Bethlehem were just as crowded with people shopping for the holidays as were the streets in Boston. I was expecting the little town of Bethlehem to be, well, like the Christmas card picture. I imagined it was very dark and quiet with a star shining overhead, and snow lay round about, while shepherds kept watch over their sheep.

In my mind’s eye, I held close to my heart a picture of the birth of the Child Jesus. The arrival of God into our human life was to be well, divine. Everyone would be quiet and washed, and spit-shined, and so on. But here were the “live” pictures from Bethlehem: people shoving and yelling, hawking their wares, and moving quickly along the street. I was back on Washington and Summer streets as my mother held my hand firmly while we moved from one store to another. She was doing the Christmas shopping, and if it all went well, maybe we’d get a Bailey’s sundae!

So now I look back and realize that Bethlehem was much like Boston, busy, active and running about. Only in my head and heart was that wonderful Christmas card scene. Still these days are able to transport us into our wonderful times. Even though we know that life is rushing about, even though our life is difficult and disappointing, even though we are in pain and worried, Christmas reawakens in us such hope and such joy.

I have to remind myself of this truth. This has not been a good year for priests. It has not been a good five years for priests. Our Church in Boston struggles to find its way. Many are angry, still more disappointed, and, even more, indifferent.

God did not send His Son into a Christmas card of Bethlehem. No, to the little town of Bethlehem came Mary and Joseph. They brought the newborn Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes, into the world in a dirty stable, with animals about. I have to remind myself that God dwells with us in the crowded rushing streets of Bethlehem and of Boston. God takes us as we are, the good, the bad, and the ugly. The prayer for Christmas is the ancient word, “Emmanuel.” This word means “God is with us.” No matter what we do, no matter how we screw up things, no matter how we fail, God is with us. This is the Christmas prayer, Emmanuel, God is with us.

The Christmas story is magical, mysterious. We are called home, back to God. Whatever we have done, no matter how we have failed, wherever we have wandered, these are the days to return to God. Even when we do not want to hear it, even when we behave like Scrooge, even if we are pained that the Christmas word bursts in upon us, Emmanuel, God is with us! Christmas warms our hearts in the darkest time of the year. Christmas calls us to be generous in the coldest times of the year. Christmas is God’s smile upon us. The word is “Emmanuel.” God is with us.