As Christmas becomes more and more secular every year "Merry Christmas" turns into "Happy Holidays" and Christmas Eve becomes symbolic of Santa and his reindeer instead of the nativity. Christmas is supposedly "the most wonderful time of the year." Why is this the case? Those who lead the movement for "Happy Holidays" may attribute the splendor of Christmas to the accumulation of presents, overeating, days off work, and celebrating. If we reflect on the readings for today, though, we can find the true answer, the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas is a time of renewal; a time to remember the coming of Jesus. Jesus brings the type of happiness that no material possessions or accumulation can bring. Jesus can cure us from all sin; he can cure us from blindness caused by desire, from deafness to the truth, and our paralysis in making correct judgments will be cured. How can we move toward this? We can start by allowing Jesus into our lives this Christmas, renewing and invigorating our faith. By doing this we can be cured like the crippled man, and no longer deaf, blind or mute. In the place of our shortcomings we will be rejoicing, singing and dancing because in fulfillment of Isaiah, our God has come to save us!