Piazza St Pietro --- Citta del Vaticano
From St. Joseph's Parish on Capitol Hill I send you my Christmas greetings and a promise that tomorrow morning at our 10:30 AM Mass I shall remember all those who read these words either tonight or tomorrow.
These are days when all of us, I believe, feel close to our families and friends or, if there are divisions there, we have that feeling deep within calling us to do what we can to bring about division.
These are days when emotions run on high. The Christmas music, the gatherings with family and friends, the decorations on homes and in stores --- all remind us once again that we are not a forgotten people ... not one of us is forgotten by the Lord Jesus. The creche in St. Peter's Square is a reminder of that promise of the Lord that he would always be with us.
Enjoy these days with the Lord in whatever way you can find time just to look at a creche. Trying to imagine what it would be like if your could be one of the men or women who stood at the scene that change the history of the world. How would you speak to that child? Let me share the story of the experience one of our readers, a very special friend of mine, who lives in a Chicago suburbs. She is a wonderful lady, a woman of incredible faith and determination to be as strong as she can in fighting a illness that brings her low too often. Yet, there is something about the Nativity that reminds me of my friend. Because she is a blond, let's just call he "Blondie."
Just a day ago I received a box in the mail from Blondie. There were three items in the box: an account of a very special moment; a box of home made cookies; and a "glittery, messy, weird little star" sprayed with gold paint. Here's the story and the reason for the star.
An Episcopalian Pastor told a story about her childhood. In those formative years, she want proof that stars exist in the daytime too. Follow some research and when adults were not around, the young girl stood up inside the chimney of the large family-room fireplace. To her surprise, through the chimney opening she could see the stars shining brightly during the day.
The Pastor told his congregation the purpose of the story to trust what you cannot see but is surely there. So the stars in all their various configurations become symbols of faith.
What are stars all about? These huge, powerful "islands in the sky" are always there. When the clouds hide them, there are always there. On the brightest day at noon they are there. My friend, like the little girl, knows that the stars are always there -- even without trying to look up the chimney of a fireplace.
It was a star that led the wise men and shepherds to the most extraordinary moment of their faith journey. Today there are stars in my life that I cannot see every day. One is Blondie who shared the story about the little girl. There will always be "stars" that lead us on in our faith experiences. Like the little girl, like Blondie we have to be strong enough to believe the stars are always there for us as reminders of God's grace acting in our lives ... surely through the stars in our lives.
A Christmas star brought people to see the long-awaited Messiah. There are many stars in our lives that are trying to lead us ever closer the the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us. So find yourself a star you can hang in one of the rooms in your house. Let it be a reminder that there are many good things in your life even though they may not always be easy to see.
Don't be afraid or think it silly to be a star gazer. Try it. In a short time, you will come to understand how remarkable God's love and care are for you. Probably you will soon find that you could be hanging many, many stars above your head somewhere in your home because as Christmas teaches us. God allows many stars to shine in our lives.s
Merry Christmas, dear readers. May these days be a time of peace and happiness for you. May you find stars, huge and powerful, in your life, all along your journey to the Lord.
