Isaiah 9:6

Christmas can be a wonderful time of the year; a time when people reach out to those in need; a time when we can be at peace with ourselves, with our families, and with our world. But, Christmas can also be a very stressful time of year; and few times are more stressful than the present when the threat of terror seems to be lurking everywhere, when so many people are out of work, and expectations are low or unattainable in today’s precarious economy. This, the fourth week of advent, is a good time to re-examen our expectations for Christmas just a few days away.

Often I have been approached by parents who have told me how drained they felt at Christmastime. They had put so much time and effort into pleasing their children; buying them the latest toys, and doing everything they could to create the perfect family atmosphere, only to see it disintegrate in a flood of disappointments and tensions before their very eyes.

What can we do about this? How should we cope with this kind of tension in our lives at Christmastime?

My reaction to this Christmas problem is to keep it simple. Don’t let the material trappings and glitter of Christmas distract you from the spiritual meaning of Christmas which is love. It is about the birth of Jesus who came into our lives and into our world without fanfare and worldly flashiness to show us how to love God and one another. If you have love you don’t need anything else. If you don’t have love, nothing else really matters. Let’s not forget what we’re celebrating: we are celebrating the fullness of love in the form of a little child who was born to show us how to love God and one another. What can compare to the possession of this love which came to us wrapped in flesh and blood, and lived among us so as to raise us up to love one another as He loved us!

So, don’t be afraid to keep it simple. That is what Christmas is about. I had the pleasure of joining a group of families, the other day, nearby where I live who were enacting the Christmas story for children who played the parts of the holy family, read the readings from the light of a new kindle, and sang the Christmas songs flashed on a wall. Suddenly, when the enactment was over the children bounded to their feet, shouting feast, and we all joined in the festivities. It was a very simple, but joyful event. And, the homemade food, which the families and invited guests brought to the feast, was delicious. Yet, the most enjoyable part of the celebration was people sharing, not just food, but themselves with one another. That’s Christmas!

A few more days, and it will be Christmas day. Remember what its about. Keep it simple, and spread the love.

Merry Christmas!

Fr. Hugh Duffy

The Perfect Gift!

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What is This Thing Called FAITH?

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