Merry "Christ"mas

As December 25 approaches, and we race around to get our last minute shopping finished, and we try to finish wrapping our 6,000 gifts, it is easy to forget why we are doing all of this. I guess I have to concede that, for a lot of people, this is why we do it. Many may have succumbed to the commercialization of Christmas, and the annual gift swapping has become for them the alpha and the omega, so to speak.

It seems a shame, though, that we get caught up in all of the hype and forget to take even a moment to reflect on the real message of Christmas. Of course, we are celebrating the birth of Christ. Even for relatively active and practicing Christians, though, it is easy to miss this message in all of the holly and mistletoe. But it is important to think about it, at least for a minute. This isn't just an overhyped birthday party. This is a conscious decision by God to take on the burden of flesh to become human and to bear all of the indignities that come with it. This is a decision to become man with the intent from the outset to make the ultimate sacrifice. This is the first day in a life of 33 or so years, the sole purpose of which was to make it possible for us humans to be saved. It is a gift beyond value. You can't get it on ebay or in the LL Bean catalogue. It won't be wrapped up in a box with a ribbon or stuffed in your stocking. But it is the gift for which we should be the most thankful on Christmas day and every day thereafter.

So, how do you give thanks? It is so easy that it is almost sad that we, as Christians, have failed to do it with any consistency. Give thanks by showing compassion to somebody. Give thanks by forgiving someone even if it is easier to be mad at them (and even if you think you have every right to still be mad). Give thanks by being nice to someone who won't be nice to you. Give thanks by doing something nice just for the heck of it. Give thanks by standing up for somebody that can't stand up for themselves. Whatever you do, just make sure that you give thanks.

I've found that people (myself included) will often wait until someone else makes the first move. Why should I decide to be the "bigger" person? The person that slighted me should go first. Why should I be the one to do it? Well, for one, because on Christmas day we realize that someone else has already made the first move. God chose not to wait for me to earn the gift of his son before giving that gift to me. And for that, I will give thanks.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving

As always, there is much for which to be thankful. Even when life seems to weigh heavily upon us, knowing that the weight is lighter because of God's love and the love and support of family and friends is a gift to cherish. We should all reflect on those things for which we are thankful.

And how about another little twist? In addition to focusing on what you are thankful for, we should all try to be present in someone else's life so that they might be thankful for our presence, assistance, kind words or, comforting hand. So, this Thanksgiving, aspire to be what someone else is thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving.

A Time Well Spent

I spent the weekend of November 12-14 at the Holy Family Monastery for a retreat with a bunch of truly excellent people. Theresa, Rose, Pat, Brandon, Fr. David, Sr. Mary Ann, Matt, Andrea, Chris, Mike and the rest of the retreat team was nothing short of spectacular. The students from Simsbury and Branford were also excellent. The spirit was at work, no doubt.

These are some of the things that I learned over the weekend. Feel free to add a comment with things I've missed.

• As much as the Church is beaten around these days, the joy and vibrancy of the young people in the church bodes well for the future. I almost get the sense that we needed to have a little awakening (even a rude one) in the Church to help us refocus on the core of what we believe is important: honesty, commitment, faith, listening to others (regardless of their age) to learn from their experiences of Christ in this world, a willingness to participate in community, allowing yourself to be moved by the spirit.
• Music moves you just a little closer to God.
• Reconciliation is a gift, even if it requires a bit of humility to accept.
• Youthfulness is a good thing, even if it keeps the priests up after midnight.
• God works through us in every little thing that we do.

I owe a great deal of thanks to all those who were present and allowed themselves to feel Christ's presence in all of us.

This Blog is just beginning. May it serve as a place to commune, to share joy and sorrow, to worship and to bring this world a little closer to God's ideal.

Peace.

The Red Door

Welcome, all.

A red door has traditionally been a symbol of a safe haven for both the mind and body. I'd like to think that this blog would serve the same - as a place where everyone of all walks would feel welcome.

So, enjoy.