# A melody of hope: learning generosity in Advent
*2008-12-21*

> Bill Young shares a reflection by Rev. James Field on the virtue of generosity and the joy of preparing for the birth of Christ.

## A Prayer for Favors

Before diving into today's reflections, I want to share a prayer to obtain favors that my aunt, Sister Mary Teresa, gave to me: Hail and blessed be the hour and the moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour of salvation, oh my God, hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of our Savior Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother. Amen.

## The Gift of a December Birthday

Today's reflection is titled 'O Emmanuel,' written by Reverend James Field. It happens to be Father Field's birthday today. He notes that some people consider it a 'bad break' to have a birthday so close to Christmas, but as long as people follow his rule that birthday presents shouldn't have Christmas wrapping, it is mostly fine. 

Father Field recalls a conversation he had as a ten-year-old with an elderly nun. When he told her his birthday was approaching, she told him, 'How wonderful! This means that all your long life, you will spend your birthday preparing for presents for others. This day will teach you how to be generous.' He reflects that she was right; as an adult, he sees this day as a time for giving rather than getting.

## Lessons in Stewardship

Father Field connects this to the first reading regarding fathers and children. He recalls his own father, who used to tell stories about walking miles to school through deep snow. One day on the way to Mass, his father handed him twenty cents—a fortune back then—consisting of a Lady Liberty and two Buffalo nickels. 

Before the light changed, his father handed him a pink envelope and explained, 'My child, this is your Sunday offering.' Through this, he learned that his allowance, like everything we have in life, is simply a loan from God. His father taught him in that moment to live a generous life, noting that in the abundance of grace, you always receive more than what you give.

## Emmanuel, God With Us

With Christmas just a breath away, we are called to be generous. Today's anthem reminds us that Jesus is the Emmanuel, God among us. Because God has been so generous to us, we have every reason to share gifts with one another, especially with the poor.

*Let us embrace a spirit of generosity toward others as we prepare for the birth of Emmanuel, recognizing that everything we possess is a gift from God.*