The days of Advent Hope and Joy now give way to the days of Christmas Joy and the promise of Peace. I wish to acknowledge and thank the wonderful people whose talent made such wonderful contributions to our Advent journey. The music truly of this season is tough to come by these days. Thanks to them and to Chris Fung-A-Fat, who coordinated the sights and the sounds of both Advent and this, our Christmas.
“...the angel of the Lord appeared...” With this introduction, the celebrations of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and of the Holy Family on Sunday are given their foundation. All that follows, in word and in action, is the realization of what the angel of the Lord was sent to announce. Every angel, every sheep and shepherd, every donkey and camel, every Wise Man and Mary and Joseph is present because of a relationship with the Child who is born. And the Child is born because of his and our relationship with the Lord of Hosts whose Son he is. Every twinkling tree or candle, every wreath or swag, every card or ribbon can and should proclaim this Mystery, or its deepest and greatest value is lost.
Like many of you, I will be traveling a bit to be with family and friends in these festive days. It was from them that I first heard and learned what the angel came to say.
Luke’s Gospel for the Feast of the Holy Family gives us a rare glimpse into the life of Jesus as a boy, and into the lives of Mary and Joseph. Like ours, their family life knows its share of anxiety, but anxiety gives way to relationship grown stronger. We continue to grow and to learn, to find strength and to share peace.
May God’s grace be with you in these wondrous days...
May God’s love give you courage in all things!
Fr. Tom