EDITORIAL

Who’s at the top of your priority list this Christmas?

Posted

Christmas is about priorities.

Perhaps most of us have never thought about it that way before, but it’s true nonetheless.

First and foremost, Christmas is about God’s priority of us. The birth of Jesus Christ makes it clear that, for the all-knowing and all-powerful Creator of the universe, we human beings are a priority — a top priority!

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

You could modify that text to say, “For God considered each and every one of us to be such an important priority that he sent his Son into this world to die for our sins, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life,” and it would mean the very same thing.

Of course, the real question is: Is the Lord a priority for us? He should be our most important priority in this life.

But is he?

Is the Lord enough of a priority for me to make time for him every Sunday and holy day by attending Mass? Or are other things — like sports and sleep — more of a priority?

Is the Lord enough of a priority for me to make the effort to talk to him (and to listen to him) every day in prayer?

Is the Lord enough of a priority for me to examine my life honestly every day in light of the Gospel, and to seek his forgiveness regularly in the sacrament of Reconciliation?

Is the Lord enough of a priority for me to make the daily effort to help my brothers and sisters in need, as Pope Francis has been telling me I should during his pontificate?

Is the Lord enough of a priority for me to change my life where it needs to be changed, so that I can be a more faithful disciple of Jesus?

These are important questions for every Catholic to reflect on as Christmas Day approaches.