You might think Christmas is over because thefuror has died down, You may be ready to settle into winter’s routine and wait for Spring’s arrival.
But settling into winter’s routine has to be more than a mindless reaction to these very ordinary days. When the song of the angels is still and the star in the sky is gone, there is work to be done. When the shepherds are back in the hills with their flocks, and the kings and princes have returned home, then the work of Christmas begins.
And what might that be? To find the lost,? to heal the broken in spirit, to feed the hungry, ?to free the oppressed,? to give heart to the disheartened,? to do my bit to bring peace to my little corner of the world, ?to make a little music with the heart. In other words, the work of Christmas is to radiate the light of Christ in every possible way, in all that we say, do and think. You would be awestruck if you knew the power of a simple word of gratitude and praise … not just for the person on the receiving end, but for you as well.
You would be equally awestruck if you knew how deeply and quickly your personal spirituality would deepen if you kept your five senses open for the signs of God’s presence with you each and every moment of each and every day….and once you have seen, heard or felt that sign, to give thanks to God with a very simple “Thank you for _____.”
Y’see, all to often we’re wrapped up in our own little world, which doesn’t extend past the surface of our skin. We dwell on our problems, our aches and pains, the people who inconvenience us or drive us nuts, and so on. We live in the past through guilt, and in the future through worry. The result? Life becomes a bit bleak. But when we learn to give thanks to God constantly, then miracles happen. We start to see the world as Jesus sees it.
And that, my friend, is my wish for you for the New Year!
Fr. Herb, C.S.C.
