Christmas is my absolute favorite season. I love the decorations and lights, all the food preparation and parties, family and friends together, and the cheer and holiday spirit that seems to penetrate even the most cranky Scrooges around. I love decorating my Christmas tree, remembering who gave me each ornament and saying a quick prayer for that person, wrapping presents and just the whole spirit of the holy day.
As a child, Christmas was such a magical time of year with Santa Claus and his reindeer, making our Christmas lists, helping with holiday baking. Each year we would attend the 7pm Christmas Eve mass at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish where my father led the folk group singing and the life-size manger scene was so beautiful. Christmas day was spent with family for brunch, more family for dinner, and more family for the days that followed. ( We are sort of a close family!!) The gifts, the fun, the food, the Christ... all wrapped up in a few days of magic.
When I grew up, Christmas never lost it's magic for me. As an adult, I would sleep over at my parents house on Christmas Eve and celebrate in the morning with my sister Margaret and her family from Michigan and my youngest sister Anne. The joy of the day reflected in the young eyes of my nieces and nephews touched my heart and made me burst inside with happiness. Then the day continued with cinnamon rolls for breakfast, brunch and dinner with family and the knowledge in my heart and mind throughout the day that were it not for this very day, none of us would be able to enter heaven.
That is the thought that has me feeling the Christmas magic today. That because of this day, because God sent His Son, Jesus to be born of Mary, one day I will be able to see Xavier, who has no use of his legs, run and play and dance in heaven with the angels. That due to the birth of the Savior, one day I hope to see Emmanuel, who is deaf and cannot communicate, singing with joy of the glory of God. I pray one day I will see Mary in heaven, able to move and jump freely (her favorite thing is to jump up and down, but I have to hold her back and neck securely) I yearn to see all of the children here at the orphanage playing with joy and laughter in heaven, with no worries, no fears and knowing that, without a single doubt, everyone in the Kingdom of heaven loves them beyond all telling, as we hear Mary loves Jesus each day at mass. That is my hope. That is my gift this Christmas.
I cannot tell a lie... I do miss being home for Christmas. I miss my family, and I know I will miss seeing my nieces and nephews, my aunts and uncles, and especially my grandparents, parents and brothers and sisters. But as I sit here and write this, it occurs to me that in my 42 years on this planet, this is the first Christmas at home I have missed. That is pretty amazing, and it makes me feel so blessed to have been able to celebrate the day with those I love for all of those years. And all of that love, togetherness and joy I can give now to the children here, share with them my Christmas spirit, and know that whatever I give will be given back to me in their smiles, their joy and love.
I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!! I hope and pray that the presence of the Child Jesus be with you throughout the day, that you feel His peace, love and joy, and as you celebrate the day, you remember His promise of eternal life and give thanks to God for His most ultimate gift to us, His Son.
Sending love and merry wishes... xo
