What Shall We Offer You, O Christ?
"What shall we offer you, O Christ, because you have appeared on earth as a man for our sakes? For each of the creatures made by you offers you its thanks: the Angels, their hymn; the heavens, the Star; the Shepherds, their wonder; the Magi, their gifts; the earth, the Cave; the desert, the Manger; and we, a Virgin Mother. God before the ages, have mercy on us." (from the Great Vespers Service on Christmas Eve)
This beautiful hymn speaks of all creation offering something to God in thanks for His indescribable, incomprehensible, and incomparable gift to us: that of His Son. All creation participates in the wonder.
However, if you think about it, it kind of lets us off the hook. What do we offer--we as humanity? A Virgin Mother.
True, the offering of the Virgin Mary is the gift of humanity offered to God so that God could indeed become man. That is a great thing. Without the free-will participation of Mary when the Archangel appeared to her, she could not have conceived and carried the Christ in her womb. Really, though, what have we done? What have you and I given? Where is the individual response to the gift of the Christ child?
I guess we could imitate her. What I mean is that we also could give our humanity. And what does that mean? It means to be more humane, and to be humane is to recognize all others as our brothers and sisters. It is to offer a helping hand to those in need. It is to love indiscriminately. It is to recognize that Christ did not come just for the “chosen” but for all the world. We all are His children, one and all.
Give this Christmas season something of yourself, of your humanity. Offer something for your Church. Offer by welcoming a stranger. Offer aid to those in need. Do something for the spread and enrichment of the gospel in the world. However you choose is a gift to God, but make it sincere and heartfelt. That is how to give our humanity like the blessed Virgin Mary. God bless us one and all.