Merry Christmas!

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." During Advent and Christmas season these words echo in our ears from the Scripture, Christmas songs and so on. Christmas…look at the lights in the neighborhood, decorations, music, people are so happy, there are groups going around and singing a carol. I love the season of Christmas. Do we have a moment to stop everything and experience the peace and joy of the Christmas, beautiful smell of fresh leaves of Christmas trees, wreaths, and so on? We are busy with Christmas shopping, baking cookies, writing cards, wrapping gifts and so on. As a priest I am worried, whether the church looks beautiful or not, how it is music coming along, working on my homilies and so on. We all need to find time to experience the joy and peace of the season.

Recently I listen to a Christmas son which starts with these lines:
“Christmas is all about you and God get-together forever
Christmas is all about you and God stay together forever.”
 
Two thousand years ago, God the Father was searching for parents to entrust His Son-Emmanuel, so he can stay with us and share the Good News with His people. Every Christmas reminds us of the Good News-the birth of Emmanuel-God is with us.
 
I might have shared with this life story of a father who had two children with special needs. They were twins and both of them died a month apart. When Dad started to talk about his two children, his eyes broaden wide and raise a big smile on his face.

He started to explain the story. He said God was looking down from heaven, holding two precious babies in his hands and was waiting in search of parents who will take care of these children with love and care. And God saw him and his wife and gave them those two children. They took care of those two children. They relocated their life for the care of those two children, one of them gave up the job to find time to spend time with the children.

Emmanuel- God is with us. He came to stay with us. Mary wants to share with us the Christmas story. She will tell us it was not easy to accept the call and to live that story. It was totally against the custom. Joseph wants to share his story. It was not easy for him either. But both of them listen to the angels, followed the guidance of the Lord. They both got together with the Lord and stay together.

What is our story?  What we want to give each other at this Christmas. I think the most precious gift we can give is Time. Then the other gifts have more value and meaning. The husband gives time with his wife and vice versa. Parents time with children and children do the same. Find time to spend with God. The child is born, God’s newest deed, “Emmanuel”, God is with us!!

Mary was pregnant with Jesus and they had to go to the city of David, Bethlehem. Darkness came, and everyone was looking for a place to stay, Joseph and Mary were among them.

All the doors were locked, the inns were full…It was a busy day in Bethlehem, Everyone was busy…Mary and Joseph found a place and Emanuel was born in a manger…The shepherds and Kings came in adoration…The Angels sang “Glory to God in the highest…” The rest of the city was busy; the birth of the King was not noticed by many.

This Christmas let us find time to spend with Child Jesus. Let us make a resolution to find time every week to spend with him. Emmanuel-God is with us! I wish you all Merry Christmas!

Congratulations: Philip Wagner completed lay leader of prayer training and commissioned last weekend at Immaculate Conception. The lay leader of prayer is commissioned to lead the community in prayer in the absence of priest. Congratulations Phil and thank you for your commitment..