Christmas is a time for Family
As we embark on Christmas of 2022, I am reminded that Christmas is a time for family. Last year my family had covid around Christmas and we wound up celebrating it in February, once everyone got well. It was disappointing, but so were many aspects of covid. This year we are hoping everyone is well enough to celebrate this festive holiday of love, peace and joy together. Once we acknowledge the birth of Christ by going to church, most of the world will celebrate with our family. Whether you are close to your family or not, many people try to get home for Christmas. Many travelers are braving the cold and the storms to get to their loved ones and some might not make it. This makes me even more grateful for my family this year and because of our distance during the past year. Many valuable lessons have emerged from covid, if you only look for them. I think the most important one is gratitude. Gratitude is always the equalizer in any storm, circumstance or problem. Being grateful in the midst of a storm assures that once you get on the other side of the storm the goal attained is more rewarding and the circumstances suddenly become more important.
If covid taught us one valuable lesson that is to appreciate our family. And as we gather around the table this year, and we acknowledge the baby infant Jesus, we come to realize that Jesus is part of our family and has been for many years. He has been at our table in Spirit and in our hearts during the storms of life. Jesus has been with us throughout covid and throughout each and every Christmas with or without family. Jesus is always within our hearts, as He promised to not leave us as orphans and to send the Holy Spirit to dwell in us forever.
Invite Jesus to your table today and better yet go to His table and receive the gift of life; the gift of the Eucharist as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let our hearts acknowledge his joy, as we gather with our family in peace and love. Celebrate the joy of the birth of Christ and partake in His bread, for it is the bread of life. And always remember, no matter what the circumstances, family is part of Christmas and Jesus is always at the center of it all.