A lot is happening in the world while we are sleeping. Some good, a lot, not so good. When arguing for a later curfew, our parents told us, “Nothing good happens after midnight.” But Casting Crowns, a contemporary Christian Rock group, sings about a different form of slumber in their Christmas hymn, While You Were Sleeping:

“Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man and stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King.”

That seems thought provoking enough, but then they poke American listeners even more personally:

“America, what will we miss while we are sleeping?
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay?
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King?
Will we be sleeping?
Will we be sleeping?”

As American Catholics, we have slept through some disturbing transitions in our lifetimes. Many changes feel as if they happened in the middle of the night, enacted by sneaky leaders with sordid intentions. But we must admit that much also happened when we closed our eyes and pretended we couldn’t see, or when we behaved as if we were powerless.

Another lyric challenges us: “As we are sound asleep by philosophies that save the trees and kill the children.” As disciples, we cannot solve every social issue, but we can be models of love and reserve room in our heart for our King.

Scripture: This week, read Philippians 1:27. What is it saying to you?

Call to Action: Make a resolution to stand up for your Catholic faith and resist the cultural pressures to pull the blanket up over your eyes.