"A couple took their 3-year-old to church for the first time at Christmas. Getting impatient while waiting for Mass to start, he turned to his mother and asked, "What time does Jesus get here?"
Taken from a church bulletin
Children are so wonderful and open to the experience of celebrating the holidays with various faiths, in various countries and in the entire world. The expectations, the excitement and the gathering of family and friends in a spirit of love create lifelong memories.
"Advent's intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope."
Pope Benedict XVI
The Christmas and other celebratory gatherings bring out the best in most of us because the emphasis is on loving, giving, sharing, and caring. It is time to take a look at the most important aspects of our lives including family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, church members and people who are struggling with their lives and need a dose of hope. It is a time to look outside of our own needs and think of others.
Remember, it is not the gift itself, it is the love and thought behind it! There are many types of gifts including smiles, hugs, kind gestures, thoughtfulness, or connection with ourselves and others, and making a difference in a person's life.
It is not about how many things we can accumulate, how much money we receive or how perfectly we create the best meal, the most beautifully decorated house, the perfectly orchestrated plans. It is about faith, hope, love and kindness.
"As a little girl climbed onto Santa's lap, Santa asked the usual, "And what would you like for Christmas? The child stared at him open mouthed and horrified for a minute, then gasped: "Didn't you get my E mail?"
My wish for you is for Christmas blessings that have nothing to do with computers, preoccupation with purchases and look for the gifts from the heart!
Please check out my book and E book:
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