The Shortest Days of the Year

Today is the shortest day of the year. Sadly as I write this sunset is only three hours away and I am about to have lunch. Thankfully, the sky is full of brilliant white snow.

Over the next three days, the length of daylight doesn't get perceptively longer. It is not until Christmas day that we start to gain sunlight. In a time when we are so focused on the passing of minutes and hours, it is only at a subconscious level that we recognize this dark period of the year.

Whatever the true date of Christ's birth, we have to recognize the pastoral wisdom of our forebearers whose lives we're much more closely linked to the rising and setting of the sun. In their wisdom and desire to provide hope in truly dark time of year, they recognized the importance of providing hope. In this time of darkness, I am so happy that I have the Light of the World's arrival to look forward to.

All I Want for Christmas

In my deepest depths all I want for Christmas is the presence of God in my life. There can be no greater longing in my soul and there can be no greater gift in my life.

Not that I don't feel God's presence and love in my life. Not that I can't look back, over and over again, and see God's involvement like the aroma of a fresh cut Christmas tree. Not that I can't point to beautiful moments in my life where God's sweet voice called to me. I can.

All I want for Christmas is to be filled once again with the peace that comes from knowing that our loving Creator cares for me, my loved ones and the whole of humanity. I long for this every Christmas; don't you?

The Gift of Stability

It is simply astounding how important stability is in our lives.

Today my family and I delivered gifts from my school's giving tree to another family. We arrived at the home of this single mother and her four daughters earlier today. She has only recently moved into their apartment which was provided through "section 8 housing".

What was remarkable to me is how difficult life is for families who lack stability. What I mean is when families rely on only one parent and then that parent gets cancer and then another child becomes sick, stability for the family is gone. Oh, and add to that a power outage which spoils the food in the freeze, what do you do? You don't have extra money. You don't have extra time. You don't have extra energy. The success of a family is deeply connected to stability.

Consider then, Joseph's decision to stay with Mary. The stability of the holy family is so profoundly important. As we approach Christmas, remember those like the family I met today; pray for them. If you can, find a way to make them have Christmas. Families are praying for our help. Just like Mary and Joseph was praying for a place out of the elements.