Me and Christmas

Yes, I have grown to like Christmas very much. And I have learned to be able to mesh the great season of Advent with the Christmas Season and not diminish either. As an aside, I do wish that we could learn to celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas with as much energy as we celebrate the days before Christmas. But this being the reality, I have managed to adapt.

I took a walk this morning, leaving the house at about 6:15. I wanted to be out and about for a December dawn. It was magnificent, the early morning, purple December sky giving way to the new day, prayerfully reminded me of Emmanuel - God is with us!. I suggest that you do the same. You will like it.

This just past second week of Advent was filled with wonderful delights. On Monday our children visited homes while caroling. The Spirit truly moved our young spirits as they dug in without any apparent inhibitions. They sang to neighbors and parishioners reminding themselves and other of the "Reason for the Season".

Then on Thursday we celebrated the "Mass in the Stable". In was brrrrrr.....cold. But the icy December wind didn't dull the enthusiasm of the young and the "young at heart". We tried our best to teach the children. I have always found the Mass in the Stable to be a good catechetical experience.

Today we round out the week with a Mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. What would Christmas be like without December 12. I am told that after Christmas and Easter, Guadalupe is the next biggest liturgical celebration in our Catholic World. Today we offer homage to Mary in her role as Mother of God, Mother of the Church and Queen of the Americas.

I will listen to some Christmas Carols in between today and be glad for December Joy on this Gaudete Weekend.

Pax et Bonum
December 12, 2009