Christmas

There are an abundance, nay a wealth of Masses that are celebrated at Christmas.  I like the Midnight Mass because it's so full of expectancy, of things just on the cusp of becoming, a hushed moment in our liturgical cycle, the journey of years, the ticks of the centuries, when anything is possible, and Love never disappoints.

That, and the Gospel from that Mass is from Luke this year, and the face of Jesus that I see in Luke always looks so very human.  So human that He reminds me that in becoming one of of, all of us have become one in Him, we just have to reach out beyond our comfort zone to accept that grace for the gift that it is.

Our readings for Christmas Mass at midnight are:

1. Isaiah 9: 1-6
2. Psalm 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13
3. Titus 2: 11-14
4. Luke 2: 1-14

• The path to peace
• We all crave peace at this time of year, hoping to get a little breathing room in our lives.  But what does that really mean?
• How would your life be different if you were totally at peace?
• What would you miss about your present life if you were to totally embrace peace?
• What can you be doing today to be ready for real peace?

• Today is born our savior
• Are you ready for Christmas?
• What does that really mean to you?
• What about this season gives you happiness?
• How is Christ coming to, coming in, coming through you this year?

• Training camp
• Do you think that we get better as Christians by practice?
• What are you practicing these days?
• Are you getting any better at it?
• How can you tell?

• No one seems to care
• Grief, worry, dislocation, all of these and more can make us feel isolated, cut off from the rest of humanity, even when they are within arm's reach.
• When was the last time that you found yourself in a strange situation, or a strange place and felt abandoned?
• How did you work through that?
• Have you ever thought to bring those feelings to the Jesus in prayer?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Am I paying enough attention to the lights that are in my life?
2. What can I do to be more ready to receive my Savior, no matter what form He takes?
3. At this start of the new liturgical year, what practice can I take on to bring me closer to God?
4. How can I be more present to those around me in need?

Taking off the Training Wheels

Do you ever wonder what Joseph talked about with his buddies on Friday nights?

Maybe over a fresh mug of fermented pomegranate juice, or goat's milk eggnog.

Trying to explain why he took Mary as his wife even though it seemed crazy.

Or explaining he they ended up with Jesus in a feeding trough.

Joseph probably told folks about the frantic search for a clean dry place that night.

How he and his little family was just another bit of human flotsam looking for rest

Without a friend in the world, no one to speak up for them or look after them.

And explaining how he felt a peace about the whole thing, like he was right where he belonged.

I'm sure that stolid, intentional, prayerful Mary was a help, or maybe not.

How would you like to be told that everything is going to work out just fine,

When you don't even know just what "just fine" would look like?

Even less how to get from here to "just fine" and be just in time about it too.

Maybe Joseph just gave up trying to explain,

And learned from Mary to ponder things, look them over from different vantage points

Until the bigger picture started to emerge.

I wonder how he found time for that much silence to seep into his soul.

I want to learn that sort of intentional living.

That savors the moments into full flower,

Getting the real texture and sweetness of the moments

Before they fly away, never to be revisited.

Maybe that's the source and summit of peace,

Making time to hear the silence, and learn

Just what is really important in life, 

And hear what it has to say to all of us.

Shalom!