For those who received a card from me, this is old news, but I had a few more things worth noting this day, so I include my Christmas card mailing first:
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah
May the Joy of Christmas begin to fill your hearts and homes, for joy seems absent for many these days. Yet, as I get older, I see the joys God brings to this world ever clearer. I turned 75 this year.
This past year I’ve seen many miracles, obvious actions of God where none were expected. There is nothing so pleasing to me as to look into the eyes of someone as they joyfully exclaim: “You’ll never believe what happened to me”. I’ve seen miracles big and tiny, and I am so pleased when I see God answering prayers said in earnest. Oh, I know some prayers weren’t answered (at least in the way desired), but if all were answered just as we asked, there wouldn’t be ANY miracles, only what we expected as normal --- as if WE made the miracles happen.
And as for me, this past year a thing called Morton’s Neuroma began in my feet, mildly painful, but I put it in proper perspective. I know I am blessed. The very low white blood cell count which my doctor was concerned about (and I had people around the world praying for me about) turned out to be normal for me, and I’ve had no Covid, flu or even a cold. I’ve seen God’s actions in protecting me from physical harms, and in giving me opportunities to be an instrument of His peace for others. And He has put many wonderful people in my life --- like you.
Yes, despite all the bad things which upset the world this past year, I have seen that God is in control, and so I trust in Him. I pray you had a blessed 2022, and that you find joy in your life in 2023. I’m sure it’s there for your asking.
You’re always in my prayers.
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All the Gospels these recent weeks focus on the events leading up to Jesus’ birth --- naturally. They never seem to grow old, and always seem to provide new insights for me. One thing that was (relatively) new was when my Liturgy of the Hours prayer book switched over to the Advent book, and one day I happened to glance at the back cover. There I had written these words:
“What difference does it make if He was born in Bethlehem if He hasn’t been born in you? Is there room at our inn?”
I’m sure the year I wrote those words I was wrestling with the busyness of Christmas, as I was of late. When I read them in the chapel recently, I had much to meditate upon. Have I been making more room for Him, or is my inn just getting old and dusty?
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I intended to make Christmas dinner today at home, alone again. I planned to prepare a plate for the local 7-11 store, where the manager was working the dinner shift --- as he has done for 20 years so his employees can have Christmas home with their families. He is a good man. Earlier in the week, one of the other employees said that he would have help, so I prepared 2 meals for them, in addition to my own. When I went to the store with dinner, however, Ron was there alone. He let the other person go home early. So I decided to stay with him and eat Christmas dinner there with him; the store traffic was light at dinner time on Christmas day. We had good conversation and food, and then another single man came in. Ron noted that he lived alone and was a quiet person, so I asked if he had eaten dinner yet. He said no, and accepted our invitation to join us. Besides the meal, I had also brought Christmas wafers for us to share before the meal and grace, as we said Happy Birthday to Jesus. It was a good meal which we all enjoyed. It was a good birthday party. Now, as it nears 7PM, I plan to watch the Season 3, Episode 3 of the Chosen, a fitting close to the day.
I hope you had a blessed Christmas day.
Merry Christmas to you!
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