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December 25
Jesus, Clara Barton, and Albert Chmielowski
David Barnhart
December 25, 2025
Window from Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. I’m choosing this photo because it is an artist’s work depicting an artist at work depicting Mary and Jesus; religious art about religious art. In the same way, the saints depict Jesus in their own lives; we aspire to live like them because they aspired to live like Jesus.
Today marks the traditional birthday, over two millennia ago, of Jesus of Nazareth, who Christians believe to be the incarnation of God, the third person of the Trinity, and the foretold messianic savior of the Hebrew Bible of the lineage of King David. Though his followers refer to him as Son of God and Son of David, his preferred title for himself was Son of Man or, as the Common English Bible renders it, “The Human One.” His ministry highlighted reconciliation of the whole world with God’s reign of peace and justice, and his own solidarity with the poor and oppressed. Though he was heralded as a messiah, he was crucified as a rebel against the Roman Empire. His followers claim that he was bodily resurrected as vindication of his message and ministry, and that this miraculous resurrection is a foretaste of what God will do in the future for all of Creation.
Today also marks the birth of Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross, whose death we marked on April 12.
Today marks the death, in 1916, of Albert Chmielowski, a former Polish independence fighter who became a painter, and then a monk whose ministry focused on the homeless. He drew inspiration for his life and ministry from Saint Francis, who had also been a soldier before he followed the monastic path of poverty. Since the day of his death coincides with Christmas, his feast day is observed in July.
Reflection:
The opening stanzas of Jesus’s most famous sermon, a snapshot of the world he envisioned for his followers:
“Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad.
Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth.
Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full.
Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy.
Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God.
Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.
Happy are people whose lives are harassed because they are righteous, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. Be full of joy and be glad, because you have a great reward in heaven. In the same way, people harassed the prophets who came before you.”
Albert Chmielowski said:
“I look at Jesus in His Eucharist. Could His love have provided anything more beautiful? If He is bread, let us too become bread…let us give ourselves.”
Prayer: God, may we imitate the saints who imitate Jesus. Amen.