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What are you doing for Christmas? How will you choose to spend the day? A tree, presents opened, food family? Tell me, isn’t there more to Christmas? Are our celebrations focused only on Relatives, reunions, refreshments, Eating, opening presents, friends? You realize, of course, the blessing Of a holiday, as we unload Under the pressure of vocation. Doing “Christmas” can be a blessing Of joy, of sharing, of love, of Investing time to reflect on good News of joy for all the people - Good news of Jesus’ arrival.

The time of Christmas is usually a time of joy and anticipation for most of us. Unfortunately, more often than not, Christmas time has become more commercialized, and it seems there is more emphasis on material things, rather than focusing on the birth of Jesus. Most of the stress is created by the need to buy the best gift, to create the “perfect” Christmas dinner or party and as a result, overshadows the ultimate gift that God gave us…His Son Jesus.

We read in Matthew that Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us.” What an incredibly profound thought. That the creator of the universe, orchestrator of all this complexity that we see, and the author of life itself, would choose to reside with us, of all places. A personal God is not something that is demanded by scripture, or can be alluded to through logic, it is simply an incredible gift. Knowing that no matter what season of life we find ourselves in, no matter what circumstance comes our way, that we do not have to face it alone, because we are not alone. God is with us. This year as you meet with family and friends, as you listen to non-stop Christmas music on the radio, as you watch whatever Christmas movie is in your family’s tradition, remember that you are not alone. You have been given the greatest Gift, which is that you are in the presence of God.

Are you a patient person? I’m not, I don’t like to wait. But waiting is part of life. We wait for the light to turn green so we can go on our way, we wait for the person ahead of us to finish checking their groceries, we wait in line at a concert, we wait for our waiter to bring us our food, we wait, and we wait, and we wait.

Are You Ready for Christmas? How many times have you been asked recently, “Are you ready for the holidays?” “Are you ready for Christmas?” What exactly does that mean? If I were to guess, I would say most folks are not talking about spiritual readiness. What they typically mean is, “Have you made a list of all the stuff you need, and have you checked it off ?” Have you decorated the tree? Have you bought the presents? Have you sent your Christmas cards? Have you planned your meal? Are you ready for Christmas? Usually, the answer that follows is a long list of to dos before Christmas day.

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone” Isaiah 9:1 These words of the prophet Isaiah, taken from the first reading proclaimed at the Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, seem particularly poignant for us this year. As we celebrate Christmas and draw near to the end of this calendar year, I think that many of us feel that this has indeed been a year continued to dominate by darkness and gloom.

From the Biblical narrative we catch a glimpse of various perspectives of the events connected to the birth of the Christ Child. Let’s consider a few possible viewpoints when we consider the Incarnation. More than likely there were people in the vicinity who were so wrapped up in their lives that they completely missed the moment and did not even comprehend that the greatest moment in the history of mankind had just occurred as God came to earth in that Bethlehem manger.

People who cannot stomach foods that contain gluten can still indulge in their favorite holiday flavors. “Crustless Libby’s® Famous Pumpkin Pie” is a variation on traditional pumpkin pie served at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings.

These items will appeal to most foodies and others on your gift list. Gifts from the heart are among the most coveted and appreciated come the holiday season.