Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Christmas is still coming...


I thought Christmas came early in mid-December when Sister Connie Ruth came home. Having both sisters home again made any gift under the tree seem like overkill. Then, a few weeks later, I thought Christmas came when we were given the OK to decorate the monastery. (We live the fullness of Advent so greens, red ribbon and lights don’t go up until the 23rd!) And on Christmas Eve, as good friends and annual Mass-goers came together at midnight, I thought Christmas came in the candlelight and the bells and bows. Then, early in the darkness of Christmas morning, I sat alone by our Christmas tree with a blessed cup of coffee. Most of the house was still asleep as the Midnight Mass festivities ended around 2 AM. I felt Christmas come again in the silence of my heart.


Christmas comes whenever we think of GOD’s great leap into the human condition, whenever bells and bows remind us of the real gift we have in Jesus. Christmas comes whenever we allow the Word into our flesh, whenever we welcome the stranger as guest or make peace our quest and aim. The older I get the more I love this great feast. Every Christmas is an opportunity to receive Him in the heart, to adore Him with our humble gifts, to proclaim Him with our love. Today is liturgically the 3rd day of Christmas – it is a season. Christmas is still coming, friends. Welcome it…share it…give thanks for it. From our house to yours, a Merry Christmas!

Blessings and love to you all…
- Sister Vicki