A Kiss from the Manger

Christmas was 6 days ago. I am finally catching my breath from a whirlwind of activity.
Most of the activity was planned, but there were added surprises and trials.
I don't know if I want to review it play by play. Suffice it to say I was desiring Jesus to be born again in my heart on Christmas, so that I could love Him evermore.
But by 5 days after Christmas, I was wondering if I had completely missed Him coming.
Instead, Christmas felt more like a martyrdom to me. There was plenty of tears and sorrow. Oh yes, there was joy.......but the sorrow surprised me.
Then last night, the end of my work week, and heading off to another family function, God performed heart surgery on me. He gave me a heart of flesh and filled it with love.
I had been praying for a pure heart for several days. Praise be to Jesus!
But the new knowledge that I have been given a 'kiss' from the Manger, where our Newborn King lies, hidden within all the suffering of the past week, is my Epiphany.

Mary ChristMass everyone!!!

The Prophet Malachi

Todays, December 23, first reading is from the Prophet Malachi 3: 1-4, 23-34.

"Lo I will send you Elijah the prophet,
Before the day of the Lord come,
the great and terrible day,
To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,
and the hearts of the children to their fathers,
Lest I come and strike the land with doom."

I briefly meditated about this and though how sorely we need fathers to cherish their children. Abortion, promiscuity, child abandonment by fathers, is wreaking havoc on families.
Fathers need to have their hearts turned to their children.
Children don't want the next toy, they want time with their daddys.

Working with a senior population, I am all too aware of elder neglect. So many seniors I know are yearning for time with their children. But the children, now adults, are too busy.

And so now the hearts of children need to be turned back to their fathers, and mothers, as well.

Come Lord and heal all hearts.

A small Incarnation

There is a feeling of anticipation in the air of some big spiritual chastisement waiting to happen. I am not the only one to feel this.
But maybe it will not be big, but small.
The Jews expected a noble king on a white horse to come and save them. Instead a Baby came.
Elijah waited in a cave for God to go by. But God was not in the wind or the earthquake, but in a whisper.
So just maybe, Jesus' return will be in small glimpses here and there, until every knee bows and every tongue can confess that He is Lord of all creation, and King of all hearts.

The Chapel

It was a normal day at work. I was going to meet my family at the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at our parish, St. Mel. But on the way home I felt such a load and weight of sorrow for many different things. I could have cried. My chest hurt, too. So I held my rosary as I drove, both hands still on the steering wheel. I was listening to Fr. Groeschel say the Sorrowful Mysteries and I was so moved.
As soon as I walked into the Chapel and gazed upon the Monstrance with Jesus exposed,
all my burdens and sorrow were gone, as well as the pain in my chest. I felt complete and utter peace.
Normally I smile broadly when I see Him there. Lately, I have been so sober, serious, and sad. But tonight I gave Jesus all of me, like He gave me all of Himself. And then I gave Him the biggest, most joyful smile I could.

Scrooge

Call me Scrooge if you want, but I am getting really tired of this whole secular Christmas stuff.

I am tired of buying presents and baking cookies for Politically correct holiday parties.

Christmas is all about Jesus Christ and His Holy and Wonderful Birth. He was born to die. He came to save us.

It is not about the latest fashion or toy or trend or really good food.

I don't even send Christmas cards anymore because it is one more avenue and way to brag about how great your kids are, what new item you bought for your house, and what exotic vacation you took.

I am really bothered that the Christmas spending/buying season begins right around Thanksgiving. And by the day after Christmas, all the decorations and trims are taken down and it is on to the next marketing ploy......St. Valentines Day, which has been kidnapped by the money mongers as well.

In my heart, we are currently in Advent and await the beginning of Christmas in 10 days. I plan to celebrate for the full 10 to 12 days after Christmas until Epiphany.

If one is really in tune with all the shopping jazz, you will be sick of Christmas carols by Christmas eve.

I just might be 'poor in spirit' because I really want the baby Jesus to be born in my heart this year. I want to move away from the world's view of Santa Claus and presents and gifts. I want to fully embrace Christ's Birth the way it was meant to be celebrated!!!

Night time

Last night I was awakened by our dog. Then it took me a few hours to fall back asleep.
I keep a rosary in my hand all night long and ask my dear Guardian Angel, Bruno, to say the Rosary for me, while I sleep.
It was while I was tossing and turning that a Heavenly thought came to pray for one of my sons. I decided to say Mother Teresa's 'Emergency Novena' of 9 Memorares. Within a split second I felt this overwhelming oppression hindering my prayers. I had great difficulty saying the Memorares, so I blessed myself with the sign of the Cross and said the sweet name of 'Jesus' several times.
Even now I am amazed at this event where this evil oppression was almost physical.

St. John the Baptist and workers

In yesterdays Gospel reading, Lue 3: 10-19, about people coming to John the Baptist and asking advice, a group of soldiers came as well. They ask, "Teacher, what should we do?" John responds, ".....be satisfied with your wages."

I have been pondering ever since about what would John the Baptist or Jesus would say to me and my husband right now. My husband is unemployed and trying to find another job that will pay the mortgage. I am working part time and like my job. But it is pretty lean around here. We live simply and have for many years. The cars are old and sometimes held together by duct tape. We are blessed with many children who are healthy and eat alot.

So I ask, Lord, what shall we do? My husband wants to and needs to work. You have been leading us deeper into your Eucharistic Heart, trusting you every step of the way. Do you provide all our needs, or will you do it through my husband and his labor? Lord, how shall we then live?

Jesus, I do trust in you. I am satisfied with my wages. Please help my husband, and all the other fathers/husbands who need to provide for their families. St. Joseph pray for us.