Have I ever told you how much I love St. John Henry Newman? He is a Doctor of the Church now! (If you know me, you’re probably thinking, “Yes, Carey, you’re always talking about how much you love Newman.” lol!) It takes a little time to get the knack for reading his work, but once you do, I think you’ll agree that his sermons, meditations, and poems are rich with truth, goodness, and beauty. They make me think deeply about my faith, and often leave me with a feeling of conviction on how to live more fully for Christ: more obedient to God, more motivated by love for others, more convinced of God’s love for me. Newman wrote beautiful sermons on the seasons, so today I want to share a few gems he wrote on Christmas and Epiphany.
Newman wrote, “The Epiphany is a season especially set apart for adoring the glory of Christ…[it] leads us to the contemplation of Him as a King upon His throne in the midst of His court, with His servants around Him, and His guards in attendance…His throne was His undefiled Mother’s arms; His chamber of state was a cottage or a cave; the worshipers were the wise men of the East, and they brought presents, gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Parochial and Plain Sermons, VII, Sermon 6, The Season of Epiphany). Can you imagine Jesus as King in the nativity scene? The three wise kings came to kneel down before Him in humility, bringing Him precious gifts. Do I truly recognize Christ as my King in my worship and in my daily life? When I kneel in prayer, is it out of routine, or because I call to mind that Jesus, my King, is present? What gift shall I bring Him this Christmas? What does He want of me?
Another lovely quote from Newman I try to call to mind each year: “Let us at this season approach Him with awe and love, in whom resides all perfection, and from whom we are allowed to gain it…May each Christmas, as it comes, find us more and more like Him, who as at this time became a little child for our sake, more simple-minded, more humble, more holy, more affectionate, more resigned, more happy, more full of God” (Parochial and Plain Sermons, V, Sermon 7, The Mystery of Godliness). This causes me to reflect on how well I “live Christmas” in each season of my life. Do I carry the virtues that I reflected on during Advent throughout the Christmas season and beyond? Am I more like Jesus than I was at the beginning of December?
To get started reading Newman, try this book of excerpts of his writing, Everyday Meditations. There’s also newmanreader.org, a free online repository of all of this writings. Start with his sermons organized by season, print one off, and read slowly, enjoying each word. Write down your questions and thoughts. See if you can hear Newman speaking directly to you as you read. Let me know how it goes! St. John Henry Newman, pray for us!
My Jesus, thank you for coming to us so humbly. Worshiping you as a baby is such a paradox. Lord, increase my humility so that I can worship You, a poor child in a manger.