A Letter From Father: CHRISTMAS — Keeping Holy the Season

Dear Family,

Fr. Ramos and I talk about a lot of different things and around half of our discussions cover actual serious parish business. Recently, we have been talking quite a bit about what we call in Spanish, “the December Feasts.” These include the feast (and holy day of obligation) of the Immaculate Conception — Our Lady under this title is the patroness of the United States. Then there is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of our diocese. In early December, the priests of our deanery will begin the circuit of penance services, helping each other with communal Penance Services. With much trembling and trepidation, I have to start thinking about tax season and making sure that’s in order.

But I think like many, what takes center stage is one of the greatest feasts of the year — Christmas! The Messiah born an infant, so that we might know and love Him, the wondrous fact that God would want to share our lives so intimately He became flesh and dwelt among us. This is reason enough for us all to rejoice and celebrate. But Christmas has been ladened with so many extra things that the “reason for the season” seems to be disconnected more and more as the years go by.

There are Christmas cards to write and send out, and for some, this will be our only communication with them all year — don’t get me wrong, I love taping all my cards to my office door! There are parties to plan, meals to shop for, gifts to buy and wrap. Who is hosting? Who is visiting? All of this and more as we get closer to the season. It’s no wonder the Christ Mass becomes an afterthought!

Maybe, though, we can weave our commitment to stewardship into our Christmas activities.

Treasure is the simplest. Shouldn’t the most expensive present to any one person be Whose birth we are celebrating, our Lord Himself? Risen and Glorified, He needs nothing we have, but His Body, the Church continues His mission and always needs resources. Just as with every Christmas, there will be families who need a little help to have a merry Christmas. Someone will ring the rectory bell needing just a bit of help to make things reach. Time might be a little more complicated, but can’t we find the time for worship and prayer? My favorite part of Christmas Day, after all the Masses and family time, is when I lock the church up and steal a few moments at the crib with the Christ child before turning the lights off. Drop in for a visit to the manger this Christmas, marvel at Love Incarnate. There can be a special grace before Christmas dinner. Many people attend Mass daily during Advent — why not during the Christmas Octave?

And Talent? The possibilities are endless — not only in sharing home-baked goodies with friends and neighbors but dropping off a meal to someone who won’t have a Christmas dinner. Invite a neighbor to Christmas dinner, help at a local charity serving the poor.

December means Christmas, but with some planning, this hectic time can be a time of grace and blessing for all. Please pray for me that I may keep Christmas well and I shall do the same for you.

Your Father in Christ,

Fr. Estrella, Pastor

Fr. Estrella, Pastor