The Real Christmas Story is Unsettling 

I just got out of prison, thanks be to God, but there are millions of men and women in jail and prison right now suffering from depression, loneliness, and hostility. Please don’t forget the prisoners at Christmas!

Oddly, I was told this same thing (well, almost the same) when I was in fourth grade by the nun who taught our class. She really told it like it was. I was horrified (being the oldest of 11 children) that NO ONE was willing to provide a space so Mary could have her baby in safety and even a modicum of cleanliness. The fact that it was shepherds and wise men who came to welcome him shocked me when I knew that EVERYONE should be rejoicing over this baby's birth at this time of the year. Instead, our worry is whether we will have all the "right" things for Christmas Dinner, whether the gifts we give to family members will be enjoyed--or even liked, and who is going to win the Christmas Day football games. Like you say, our priority should be reaching out to those who have LESS than we do--and sharing it with them. My parents taught me this valuable lesson every year of my youth. Since my dad was in the military, he would (with my mom's concurrence) invite 10-15 men from his platoon who had nowhere to go for Christmas (or lacked the funds to go home) to our house where they would enjoy the same food and camaraderie that we did. So not only did Mom have enough for the 13 of us in our family but also for the 10-15 who became part of our family for the day. If we could all see Christmas as the day for us to welcome the new-born Jesus along with Mary and Joseph into our lives and hearts, what a better world this could be.

I was educated by this vlog. And it gave me, an adult Catholic like myself, a spiritual awakening to the true and yet challenging message of Christimas. By the grace of God, I pray that this message of Christmas shines through in the exercise of my daily life. Thank you so much, Fr. Casey.

As a non-Catholic I found this deeply compelling. I think in our desire to glorify God (as we should) it's easy to forget the human message in Jesus story. The fact that his life was filled with suffering and that he reached out to the suffering makes Him such a personal God for me and makes me want to care more like Him.

out of all your videos, this one is a keeper to meditate on. As adults, we can no longer see Christ as a baby, but a man that changed the world and is asking us to continue that change in us. Thank you... left me in tears

For a person who is away from home and family during Christmas in a very different land in a very different situation this was a powerful message. This is not one of the most comfortable Christmas for me but makes me atleast think about those who are worse off all over the world. Merry Christmas!

I just went to my first catholic mass last week. You and father Patrick had a big part to play. I plan on (hopefully) making it through the process and getting baptized as well. Thank you for reinvigorating my interest in my spiritual health

Amen, Father Casey! Thank you for humbling us to the meaning of this season and encouraging the spirit of giving and love.

I'm a diocesan priest. I hope you don't mind if I use some of these ideas in my Christmas homilies. Thank you for your media ministry!

Thank you for reminding us of the rest of the Christmas story! May we never forget the whole story of Christmas.

This one really touched my heart, Fr. Casey. In all the joys and comforts the world gives us for this time of year, it’s a heavy reminder that there was nothing comfortable about the way Christ came into the world. Thank you for this video.

I feel this is an important video. For me the Catholic Church in it’s pure state is the church of compassion for the poor and those who have been disenfranchised by the world . The circumstances of Jesus’s birth is important for us to understand in the truthful but painful way you have described it. Thank you Father.

"The Christmas story is a call for repentance." Yep. Well said, Father Casey.

I thank my parents and the schools they put me in for always reminding me of the unfortunate truths of this world, which allowed me to be thankful for every gift I have been granted in this life. I still remember my mother reminding me what a manger was, and how poor the situation actually was.

This video reminds me of how terms like oppression, poverty, and suffering have been politically abused to the point of meaninglessness.

Certainly a very sobering and thought-provoking Christmas message. Thank you, Br Casey and best wishes to you this Christmas.

Thanks for the reminder in your message that there are many people who are experiencing hardship in our communities. I volunteer at the Gateway of Hope shelter twice a week and with the extreme cold weather we are currently having the need is even greater than normal. I see so many people in terribly lost states,just today facing the cold and having no food many have nothing, many have sunk to the bottom of the pit with no way out - it is so sad but a blessing to be able help these folks Br. Deacon Rich Roberts, CJ

Fr. Casey, thank you for making the audiobook "called"! I just finished hearing it. More inspiration from God be with you!

This is something we read and learn about every year in our family. King Herod's order[teens we discuss the parallels between this and Exodus], the holy family fleeing, possible routes they may have taken, the dangers and life in Egypt. Obviously, we give a more edited version to the kids when they're younger but we do discuss it. We didn't always but it felt like we had to not skim over that part because that part matters too.

This one way a hard one for me to watch, but you are right. I have been this whole Advent season asking myself what else and more I can do. So, I made it a point to pray more (going to daily mass 3x per week or reading my daily prayer book more, trying to give both more of my time, my ear or money to those who are in more need. And when people asked me what I wanted, I said, nothing and if they insisted, I asked that donate funds to charities that help the homeless and less fortunate kids. I am finding myself that as I get closer to midnight mass, I want to give more of myself and things. You did a good job, and I am sure this one was a hard one to make. This is reminding me of a good homily that we all need to hear and be reminded of but is often not "popular or easy to hear". But sometimes we all need to hear the open heart of Jesus, look through the eyes of his beloved, strong and loving mother, Mary and look inward. I am just very thankful for the many gifts (My Family, Kids, Wife and others), abilities god has given me and the opportunities. Now I just hope that I will always remember to use them for the good and for others less in need and on the margins. Many blessings from a cold, windy and snowing Southern WI and I hope the Friers have a good end of Advent and Warms and Welcoming Christmas Season.

Let us Praise God and be grateful. And choose to be happy for this season. Merry Christmas to you too and to all!

Father Casey, the Holy Spirit is truly speaking through you, and I’m listening. 🙏🏼

I went to a Christmas walkthrough for a number of years. Their take on the innkeeper was different. Imagine the Spring Rush in By the Shores of Silver Lake with everyone sleeping shoulder to shoulder rather than the Clueless "Rearrange some place settings" It was generous of the innkeeper to offer the manager rather than asking her to give birth in front of a bunch of strangers. We forget that it was a house not a Hampton Inn with individual rooms.

Halleluiah! Thank you so much Father. This is the stuff! I have, all my adult life felt this way. The commercialization of Christmas has always irritated me to distraction. Not because I am Holy, but because I am lonely and broken and I thirst for The Saviour. Thank you for this priceless gift of solidarity at this time of year. BTW, I went to a Franciscan school and was raised by the wonderful Franciscans. Their spirituality is The Boss!

I am in tears while listening to the video. Thanks for giving such powerful reminder of how I have to spend Christmas day.

Good one. Poor, outcast, unwanted by all except his parents. Amazing. The themes are ongoing and as important today as they were 2000 years ago. I love Christmas, and look forward to it every year. But the story needs revising and truth-telling needs to happen. thanks. Have a Merry Christmas. I look forward to more of your conferences in the New Year.

This hit a lot of nails of truth on the head Father, well done and thank you. God bless your hard work.

I think the beauty of the Nativity is the idea that Jesus' birth was such a special moment in spite of all the evil that occurred at that time. That slight ember of hope that salvation was on the horizon, even with the atrocious conditions that He was born into. That's what I tend to take away from the story: to always believe in the hope of His message, and celebrate the good in humanity.

Merry Christmas! 🌞❣️👼🏻

Thank you Fr. Casey. This was just what I needed to feed on today. God Bless You!

Thank you Fr Casey for reminding us the real Christmas Story..God bless you.

This is a very good point, and it is unsettling. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around Mary’s experience; it’s part of why I like Mary, Did You Know. Everything that would be, because of Jesus, but at the same time, He’s this helpless baby that is in tremendous danger and fated to be miraculous and awesome in the original sense of the word, but to also suffer terribly. It’s a lot wrapped up in a very little bundle.

Thanks, merry Christmas Fr. to you and you loved ones. 🙏

Great video Father! God bless you and all during this Christmas

As a Muslim, I love your message and your whole channel! Workers of the world unite

Thank you Fr. Casey for the perspective. Also Merry Christmas from Suriname

I think because people more than anything want hope, Father. So much of our society already has signs of despair, persecution, villainy, and the reality that crime does pay ... people want a break.

This video is really necessary for us all. Thank you for sharing, Father! Happy New Year.

An important Christmas message. Thank you! 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Good work, hope for more videos like that around Christmas

Awesome. Excellent channel. God bless you Father Casey.

Thank you for this reminder of the real meaning of the season.

Thank you for sharing this. I hope you have a blessed and meaningful Christmas.

I think this is the most important message you've ever given us! Thank you father! a great video.

Wow!!!, you bring it I love your straight up style no holding back. Thank you father, I need that to shake me out of indifference. God Bless you

Merry Christmas fr. Casey, you nailed it again Thank you for describing the 2 ND sorrow of Mary, I have what to meditate on today.

Thank you very much Father .... And ladies and Gentlemen men, this is why I am Catholic and will remain so....we face the uncomfortable truths about our Faith as it is.

Beautiful explanation Father. A very Merry Christmas to you.

banger of an episode hit me right in my heart thank you!

Merry Christmas Father Casey!

Fr. Casey, I wish that you would have explained the role that Advent plays in our self-awareness of the fallen world, and how Christ was born into that fallen world and manifest His victory even as a baby in such a brutal world.... and THEN we feast during the days of Christmas. The Feast Days are supposed to be filled with joy and hope, unscathed by the realities of the fallen world. This is why it is inappropriate to fast on Feast Days, even when they are during Lent. There is a time for solemnity, and a time for rest. Priests who don't give rest are burning us out. This is why I am Eastern Catholic, because we have both the Head and the Heart in our Church, and we take our Sundays very seriously as REST days. We take our fasting days seriously, and we take our feasting days seriously. You need more actual Heart (from the Spirit) rather than a secular one who is always on a crusade.

Thank you Padre Casey for this enlightenment❤❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Thank you father for all you do please pray for me and merry Christmas

Bravo Father Casey.. now that is the Christmas story we all should remember and teach our children. Blessing be upon you 🙏 ✨️

I love the honest forthright discussion from your heart.

Thank you for a real heart opening truth video🌹👍🏾🕊️🙏🏽

I don't always agree with your disposition towards topics, but today I do. THANK YOU.

No, we are not kidding you father Casey. 😆😆 I always love Christmas. Thanks for the reflection of Christmas.

this is a challenging message, thank you Casey 🙏

"And _that,_ Billy, is why you didn't get any presents this year."

The first Christmas stunk. Literally and figuratively.

This really made an impact on me..THANK YOU!

Reminds me think of when my eight year old interrupted her Sunday School teacher to tell the class that the story of David and Goliath wasn't over. She then announced that David beheaded Goliath. There is a long history of sanitizing the Bible for children.I suppose the teacher was planning to leave that part out.

It was immensely thought provoking. Made me cry!

Merry Christmas Father. Best Sermon on the Nativity I've hever heard.

Thank you for making Christmas very contextual

one of the most wholesome video about Christmas. Thanks father! and Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas 🙏

You gave me a whole new perspective!

Excellent wake up call that is as timely in 2023 as it has ever been.

And Merry Christmas From Borneo🤝😃✌️🌾⚔️

Very compelling, Father Casey.

amen to this, I can only say that this fully resonates with me as I always felt this way about Christmas time.. and not only then to be honest. Many a time it has been the reason for not being (or feeling so) understood by many close around me... Though that has often saddened me deeply, it's never really changed how I felt about the Christmas concept.. I like your channel and views on the various issues even though I'm no longer practising religion; I was raised Catholic though, and the concept of Religion (any!) has always had my interest. Observe, consider carefully, learn, not judge and not follow blindly... something like that. Bless you

Amazing! What a powerful, relevant and thought- provoking talk. Thank you.

Well done message. Love and peace. Tim

Every praise is to our God!!!!!!

I wish Fr. Casey mentioned that aside from the Christmas narratives most of us know and come to associate with our celebration of the season in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 there is the truly "unsettling" other, neglected, and missed (on our part) narrative about the birth of Jesus in Revelation 12. This visionary story in the last book of the Bible truly captures what the Friar discusses here in this video about the most forgotten people who are mostly poor and afflicted in many ways as victims of the everlasting conflict between the earthly kings and kingdoms (today's elites and empires) and the king who was born in "unsettling" circumstances.

Christmas always makes me thankful in a most uncomfortable way. You see I cannot separate our Saviors future from his birth. It’s amazing to me to wonder if even as a small child he knew what his future held.

Wanting a Christmas with more sincerity, solemnity, and seriousness? How very trad of you Fr Casey 😏. Jokes aside, the Incarnation is an act of such humility that it's hard to even begin to fathom

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thank you , Father Casey . You saved Christmas ❤

Thank you! Father Casey, this video/ message really challenged /unsettled me. This is a powerful message, but It would be good if you can correct your statement that our Mother Mary was unwed. May the Lord bless you , strengthen you and fill you with his Holy Spirit. I am grateful for you ❤

I like the message. I also have a question, weren’t Joseph and Mary married? Why is she refer to as an unmarried mother? Young, yes; newly married, yes; unmarried, no.

Fantastic navigation. Thank you.

Gave me something to really chew on this time... thanks, Father Casey.

Thank you

I find Christmas such a confusing time. Everyone is celebrating, but for different reasons. The John Betjeman poem, 'Christmas', sums up my feelings and my doubts perfectly. This Christmas, I feel a sense of despair with our lack of progress as human beings sharing one small planet. The only way we can see to resolve conflict, is by throwing more fuel on the fire. The only way we can prevent future conflict is to build up a mighty army with a huge arsenal of ever more devastating weaponry. Really ?

The massive (orchestrated) migrant invasion many western nations are suffering with today has absolutely nothing in common with the plight of the Holy Family. And I do mean “Holy FAMILY” and not a lone, poor, unwed, pregnant teen fleeing persecution. The Holy Family was also not without means in Egypt, certainly far from the destitute/ abject beggar class. Joseph was described as a carpenter, surely able to provide a living for his family in a comparatively wealthy country that made good use of skilled labor/artisans, no matter their religion or country of origin. I also think it’s an extreme stretch to assume the love Christians have for Advent, Christmas, the Nativity, Christmas traditions/stories/music, festive decorations, and spending quality time with family and friends equates to a populace ignorant of the foundation, reason, or purpose of the blessed birth of our Savior. On the one hand Casey says he absolutely loves everything about this season, but then castigates all those who feel the same. Christians in western nations do not need to adopt a bevy of economic migrants each year or prioritize the creature comforts of those who illegally invade western nations and communities in order to truly understand the non-neutered meaning of Christmas. Father Mike Schmitz produced an interesting video recently addressing the question of whether God calls for each one of us to give away absolutely everything we have to the poor to follow Him. Christmas wasn’t the topic, but Fr. Schmitz has a somewhat more nuanced approach to God’s command regarding charity. It’s well worth a watch. God bless and Merry Christmas!

Wow lighten up man We are all suffering in the world the story of the nativity keeps us going at Christmas....

Myrrh also has numerous health benefits including pain relief. The wine given to Jesus during his crucifixion had myrrh in it and that’s why he rejected it. To feel all of the pain he needed to for us. Our savior went through so much for us

Thank you so much for this important reminder!

Beautifully distilled and thought provoking Father. Thanks for this. Does it occur to you that this is the same message we hear at our local TLM. You really should give it a try, the next time you want to join the gung ho joyride against the profoundly evangelizing spirituality of the Traditional Rite. Forget about RU-vid, just go to one somewhere and you will see.

I appreciate your video and the lessons it contains. It’s a necessary message, yet one that has never been conveyed to me, or one that I would have thought of even as an adult. It is indeed a wake up call for us all. You can’t sanitize reality. Peace!

I read an article that stated Christians love to celebrate Christmas because Jesus appears helpless and isn't able to speak. He doesn't challenge us in the manger. But once he leaves the stable, grows up, and begins to talk there are fewer people at Sunday Mass. Your video gives us a whole other view - like St. Matthew's version of the Christmas story. Well done as always. Thank you. Gary (Cleveland)

What can I say? You have been able to put into words all that I feel, see and perceive. Thanks.

This, sir, was well done.

Father Casey, you nailed it this time. There are so many themes as you said. The king of kings had trouble from the beginning.

You bring me back to the faith ❤

Merry Christmass Fr.....

Right on