The hustle and bustle of the holidays is all around us whether we like it or not.  We can't get near a mall without a horde of shoppers being there (not even Amazon has solved that issue yet).  Travel plans are fast approaching, and we are likely planning to spend time with family.  One of my favorite memories from Christmas gatherings with my extended family is the Hargadon Family Greeting.  It wasn't a secret handshake or a delicate kiss on the cheek.  It was a rousing chorus of shouted welcomes as each person walked through my grandparent's front door.  It didn't matter whether you were in a conversation or getting some food.  It was irrelevant whether you could see the door or not.  When someone walked through that door, they were greeted like we had all been awaiting their arrival.  Now, I'm not saying everyone has to be like my family, but I do want to reflect on families and our coming together during Christmas in the light of our reading of the Visitation. 

Not everyone is ecstatic about family gatherings.  There could be fresh wounds, difficult family dynamics, or any number of reasons why someone dreads getting together at Christmas.  Today's gospel challenges us in that regard.  As Christians, as disciples, we have good news!  And what should we do with that good news?  Most people will tell you that you should share it and they are right!  We see a prefect example as Mary rushes to Elizabeth to celebrate the good news of John and share the good news of Jesus.  Mary went in haste to see Elizabeth and Elizabeth greeted her in fine Hargadon fashion as she, “cried out in a loud voice.”  She was far more eloquent than we ever were, but the point is that she graciously received Mary into her home, and greeted her warmly.  This is a challenge for us this Christmas.  Our challenge is to go out to our families with the excitement and joy of not only new life, but of the arrival of the Messiah, even if we might not receive the same welcome Mary did.  We should receive our family with the love, joy, and Holy Spirit filled greeting that Elizabeth did, even if our family is less like Mary than we would desire. 

So, why should we be like Mary and Elizabeth this Christmas?  Because of the good news of Christmas: Christ has come! Like Mary, we can bring Christ to others and, like Elizabeth, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit.  We should follow in their example and celebrate this Christmas with great joy alongside our relatives as we can be Christ to them and they can be Christ to us. 

- Spencer Hargadon