‘Holy flying reindeer, Santa’—it’s nearly Christmas!

The older I get, the faster things fly by. Here we are about to enter the last week of Advent—thankfully this year the fourth week is a full week at least. But as we approach the Nativity of the Lord and all that comes with these final days of Advent—parties, last minute “forget-me-nots” and more, we cannot lose sight of the true meaning of the season. Sometimes I wonder if I ever really get the meaning…or at least that I get it in time to live out the real meaning of the Season of Christmas during these last days of Advent. Sometimes it is hard to be Christian when you are in long lines and always behind someone who spent the time in that long line not thinking of what they
will order at the register but… That is why we have Advent—a time to prepare our hearts—especially and our minds and most assuredly our souls for the “coming of Christ.” That “coming”
which we wait for is the memorialization of His Incarnation and birth among us; it is also about His coming in Word and Sacrament at Mass and His coming to earth in-and-through our words and deeds—and it is about His Second Coming—and His gift of Eternal Salvation. And so, the older I grow the more I think about Eternity and where and how I shall spend it.

And as I look around this parish during Advent—and all year long—I see the importance of community—the Spirit of God alive and well through His disciples who “reside” here at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. “Community” and “community building” have become so over used that sometimes they lose their meaning, like Christmas, when we don’t always see the Truth which is embedded in them.

Christmas can be lost to secularization: Christmas trees and presents galore, parties and parties, rushing here-and-there and being weighed down with “To Do” lists everywhere. Christmas can be lost when we exchange Christ for “Happy Holidays” or “Winter Festivals.” Here’s a hint: if someone says “Happy Chanukah” or “Peaceful Kwanzaa” or whatever else, just offer it back to them. We aren’t giving up what we believe when we say one of those greetings but rather we are being Christian by wishing glad tidings and peace in another “language”. And nor should “Merry or Blessed Christmas” be lost for the sole and phony reason of being politically correct. Bah, hum bug!

But in this community of Saint Catherine of Siena I see the Christ of Christmas. I see Christ in the puzzle pieces that floated above the sanctuary and highlighted the many works of charity being manifested in the good deeds of our youth ministry; I see Christ in the men and women who volunteer week-afterweek in our religious education program and teach your sons and daughters about belief in God and His Church; I see Christ in those who support our Knights of Malta health care vans and our Neighbors In Need program through the Christmas and Advent Giving Trees; I see Christ in the Pantry Partner volunteers and the St. Elizabeth House cooks and servers reaching out with food to feed and nourish the hungry and forgotten; I see Christ in our Eucharistic Ministers who bring Holy Communion to the sick and frail at home or in hospital; I see Christ in the legions of
volunteers who help neighbors with yard work in the Fall’s leaf rake; I see Christ those who seve at Mass as ministers of the altar; and I hear Christ in the choir voices who lift up our prayers at Mass; and, I see Christ in those who take up the charge of faith in the works and deeds of the Men’s and Women’s Clubs, our Prayer Shawl, Thanksgiving Day feasters and every other ministry of this parish. And recently I saw Christ at the Linden House as good cheer and glad tidings came to and from all who participated, especially the Innkeepers, as we partook of a happy afternoon all for the good of our Pantry Partners food ministry. In all, Christ was made manifest. In all these ministries and in so many other collective and individual acts, we can put “Christ” not only back in Christmas but in the whole year…for “His Church” has always been here, is here and will be here—all the
year(s) long, day-in and day-out and God desires nothing more than for you to become part of His community of believers and doers.

May this final week of Advent be full of God’s most abundant peace, may He bless you and those you love with His choicest blessings, and may He incline your hearts to seek His Heart and follow His Will now and in the future—right into His Kingdom of unending joy. And… Merry CHRISTMAS!