When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. 

"Guess this means you’re sorry, you’re standing at my door. Guess this means you take back all you said before, like how much you wanted anyone but me; said you’d never come back, but here you are again, 'cause we belong together now, forever united here somehow; you got a piece of me, and honestly, my life would suck without you. I know that I’ve got issues, but you’re pretty messed up too. Being with you is so dysfunctional. I really shouldn’t miss you, but I can’t let you go." 

It may be that the Christmas story as we know it has so influenced our understanding of the shepherds who were part of the first Christmas that we have lost sight of exactly who they were. They were not the devout, civilized workers depicted in Christmas cribs. In fact, according to historians, most of them were just the opposite--dirty, smelly evil men who found it difficult to be serious in their approach to life, and who would just as soon hurt someone as look at them. It is this group, nonetheless, who after they had seen the child Jesus, "returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen." It could be said that because of their association with Jesus, they changed their life-styles, from immaturity to praise addressed to God.
 
The behavior of the love couple in the video of Kelly Clarkson’s song "My Life Would Suck Without You" is immature because of a lack of knowing when to be serious or not serious. The song reflects the immaturity as well with the statement that both have "issues." Those "issues" are something to consider. Perhaps they are nothing to worry about, and therefore there is no immaturity, but perhaps those issues are very involved. In such a case, they must be addressed, and if they are not, then the couple has given into immaturity, and their future lives will be affected in an adverse way.

One of the causes of early marriage breakdown and likewise a cause of broken young love relationships is immaturity, that is, the inability to take in a serious way those things that should be taken seriously. When Kelly Clarkson refers to "issues" that both the man and woman have, she is referring to the fact that neither of them know how to react in a mature way. They are both still selfish in their approach to their relationship. Each wants what he/she wants, and not what the other wants. The primary way to gain maturity is to master selfishness, and reach out to care for someone else. We must learn to care for another, especially if that "other" is a person we are considering living with for the rest of our lives.

The shepherds of the Christmas story turned their lives around after they had seen the Lord. They can be an example for anyone who finally understands that life is more than a selfish way to feel good. 

THOUGHT
 
PRAYER

Good and gracious God, we necessarily begin our lives with immaturity. Too often, we do not gain the maturity we should have. Give us the grace to learn what your Son has taught, and lead us to be more mature in our approach to life. Be with us, we pray.

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike

©2007 Capuchin Province of Mid-America
Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America