All I want for Christmas

We are well into advent and are probably decorating, sending out cards and shopping for those we love. It is part of the Christmas Season and part of our tradition. If we do not go overboard it is fun and a great opportunity for family and friendship time. If we checked on the time spent on each, approximately what percentage would be spent on developing our personal spirituality? Are we gifting ourselves with God’s presence?

We are getting ready to give relatives and friends presents, why not think and pray about how to invite someone home to their faith for Christmas.  This is the ultimate gift we can give to someone. As the commercials tell us many Catholics really do want to come home but just are not sure how to do that or/and how they will be received.

As we watch all the commercials about what children and adults want for Christmas do we think of those who dare not want?

As we think about our family and friends do we look around and think of all those who have no families.

Advent/Pre-Christmas is a very busy time of year. It is a wonderful time of year and in spirit it can be “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ but then again so can every other time. Each weekend as I talk to people you can see their interior joy even when things are at their lowest. In each person you can see an ember of faith and the possibility of it becoming a giant flame. Talk to someone who has returned to their faith or newly arrived. Just talking to them is an inspiration.

Families and friends are a wonderful way to grow spiritually. There is a natural bond and we can build on that support as we continue to grow spiritually.

Giving is such a special feeling, giving of ourselves and our time is what Jesus did for us. What can we do for someone?  You will ever know what someone needs if you do not ask.   Enjoy the Season.

God bless,

Jeanne Schneider