Christmastime Is Here!

'Tis the season of Christmas in the Roman Catholic church now.  Merry Christmas!  From yesterday until January 9th the Christmas decorations will grace the church and the priests' vestments will be white or gold- the colors of celebration- with occasional forays into red for martyrs' feast days such as today, the feast of St. Stephen, the Church's first martyr (read all about it in Acts 6:8 through Acts 7:60 ) and December 28th the Feast of the Holy Innocents.
So while in the secular world Christmas is over and done with, in the world of the Church- it's just beginning!

Explicit Instructions

One of my favorite Bible passages is 1Thessalonians 5.  This past Sunday we heard 1Thes5: 16-24, but if you read the entire chapter you get explicit instructions for how to conduct yourself as a Christian.  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all, we hear these instructions Sunday after Sunday.  If we take these things to heart the world would be a much better place.  While you're circling the mall parking lot- pray without ceasing, be patient with all.  While you're waiting in line at the checkout counter- give thanks, cheer the fainthearted.  You'll feel better and you'll help those around you feel better.  It's so easy to get grumpy and impatient during the holiday rush, but try to make 1Thes 5 your plan of action and I think you'll find that your days are merrier and brighter!

'Tis Better to Give...

The second Sunday in Advent already?? Where does the time go?  Because of the economy I have to cut back my gift giving this year. I'm proposing that we all try to focus more on the "What did you DO for others this Christmas," and not, "What did you give to others/get from others this Christmas."  I'm sure I'm not the only one caught up in the holiday rush, but perhaps we could put most of our energy into doing something nice instead of purchasing something nice. Does someone need a ride somewhere, an errand done, something cleaned or fixed, children watched for an hour or two, a dog walked, a car washed, a cupboard organized,some laundry washed and folded?  It doesn't have to be expensive or huge.  Donating llamas (Project Heifer) or toys (Toys for Tots) or turkeys (Food drives) are all important and needed, but if your wallet has moths instead of money in it, then a kind deed paired with a prayer for the recipient (in the spirit of Holy Orders) would still makes someone's holiday bright!