This Week In Christmas 2021

Here is the Last of my Advent Reflections turned into Christmas Reflections to close out the year even though a week remains of Christmas after this.

This Day in History – What Happened Today – HISTORY

Monday December 27 , 2021

Saint John, Apostle and evangelist – Feast

On this day, December 27, during the great depression that was going on in 1932, Radio City Music Hall opened its doors to the world. This showcase for entertainment was there unleashing a place where prestigious award ceremonies such as the Tony’s, the Grammy’s and others would gather creative creators of the arts together to honor the best in quality entertainment. It also brought us The annual Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular | TheaterMania

Just a few days ago the Christmas season kicked in an annual traditional custom for the world which celebrates the coming of God into human history. He came during the great depressing darkness that had spread over the world. This opened up the creative melody makers, artists, and storytellers to retell this wonderful tale over and over again in different unique ways. And every Christmas we get the Spectacular Christmas Angels, Shepherds, Wisemen, animals and Holy Family. May you live out this Christmas season with the gift of the Christ child living his full glory in your fleshly body.

Somehow I realized that songs, music, good feelings, beautiful liturgies, nice presents, big dinners, and many sweet words do not make Christmas. Christmas is saying “yes” to something beyond all emotions and feelings. Christmas is saying yes to a hope based on God’s initiative, which has nothing to do with what I think or feel. Christmas is believing that the salvation of the world is God’s work and not mine. Things will never look just right or feel just right. If they did, someone would be lying. . . But it is into this broken world that a child is born who is called Son of the Most High, Prince of Peace, Savior. – Henri Nouwen

Tuesday December 28, 2021

Holy Innocents, martyrs – Feast

This feast day in the middle of the most joyous season of the year reminds us of the reason why a savior was born in this world.

Because a dark world needs the light of God to illuminate the reality that evil exists.

Well, I’ve run this Earth for many years
If there’s one thing I know
There’s nowhere on this side o’ Heaven
Where streets are made o’ gold
I’ve long laid tell my grand illusions
Lookin’ toward the day that I’ll be home
TobyMac, Promised Land

Santa is not an equal opportunity donor

To the rich, yet “middle class” United States of America,

as a child Santa gave

toys to everyone.

Tons of toys to tons of kids.

Yet that is child’s play.

What made the Santa I knew as giver of toys possible

for me Until around 5^th grade or so was two things

First of All: Santa worked for God

Secondly: All children NEED toys to learn, to grow and to have fun.

The reality is very different

There are so many families

and individuals

suffering from different forms of poverty

All over the world.

Maybe this Christmas you can be Santa for someone who truly needs a Santa

Wednesday December 29 , 2021

Saint Thomas Becket, bishop and martyr – Optional Memorial

The parable of the sower inclines us to reckon with the dangerous side of Christmas. God has given his Son. The question is, will we receive him? Receiving him is not about fleeting seasonal gladness or setting him alongside many other things. Receiving him is about giving him pride of place, and allowing him to set down roots and bear fruit in our lives. Receiving him is about being his disciples — the ones who seek to know him and who struggle to understand him. This is indeed the dangerous reversal: He is the guest who calls us to become his hosts, and everything depends on our hospitality.-Leonard J. DeLorenzo –The joy of Christmas (and the danger) – Our Sunday Visitor (osvnews.com)

Thursday December 30 , 2021

Friday December 31, 2021

Saint Sylvester I, pope – Optional Memoria

On Facebook lately I have noticed a lot of Go-Fund Me posts being put up on my friend’s walls. Different people have died leaving behind loved ones.

Wives. Husbands. Children. Friends. Pets. Co-workers.

And the thought of realization occurs that, that could be me.

It will be me someday. Making my wife a widow.

It could also happen to my wife making me a widower. A sad thought indeed.

It could happen to you reading this.

This day reminds me of the past year and all of the goals I didn’t finish or accomplish.

When my day arrives for my departure from this earth, anything left undone, will remain undone.

But by the grace of God, I have arrived at yet another year.

And with this year coming up, I have a chance to perhaps finish, restart, and start fresh and anew on things that didn’t get done last year.

And the same goes for you.

This could be the year we both depart earthly life.

But until that day arrives, let’s rejoice in the hope of a new day and pray God will allow us to grow and change and to finish all we need to do, regardless of when we go home.

May we both live this year with a new level of gusto moxie energy.