Story by Brian M. Kane, chairperson of philosophy and theology at DeSales, and associate professor of theology, focuses on the celebration of Christmas. According to Kane, Christmas is not about "once upon a time," but about this person, place and time. Unlike older pagan festivals that were more focused upon preserving society as a whole, Christmas celebrated the message that "God came into the world in a very particular place and time." It is a birthday celebration and as such, looks to the promise of the future, rather than only at the accomplishments of the past. Kane states the birthday of Jesus is the beginning of a journey that starts at the crèche and ends in the cross and resurrection of Easter, and the Incarnation is a specific gift for each of us. "A gift fulfilled in the complete sacrifice of God for us," says Kane. "It is a gift that took place at a specific time and place for the benefit of specific persons. It was not for "society," it was for you."

 

This story ran with the Catholic News Service and also appeared in the Catholic Courier, Messenger, U.P. Catholic, and Globe.