I have had a wonderful week full of Christmas joy, gratitude, and peace. Last weekend my oldest grandson came home for a few days. I decorated the house, made goodies, and hosted Christmas dinner for my family. We played Christmas song charades, laughed a lot, and ate a lot. Before the meal, I led the prayer as usual, but I found myself choked up and teary as I have just felt so grateful this year. After explaining to my family, my son finished the prayer. Earlier this week, I spent an afternoon with some friends. We watched Christmas movies, laughed a lot, and ate a lot. I found myself teary eyed during the movies as well – even through Charlie Brown’s Christmas – thinking of God’s love and humility coming to be with us as a baby. On Christmas eve, I went to Mass with my son and his wife. We worshipped God, prayed a lot, and sang the Christmas songs that we wait all year to sing. It was difficult to get through all the verses as I was choked up again and teary with gratitude for God’s goodness. On Christmas day I went to my son’s house for breakfast. He, his wife, and the kids were all up bright and early. I had made some of my mom’s traditional Sugarplum bread and shared it. They showed me their Santa presents, we visited, and ate a lot. It was just joyful. In the afternoon, the whole family including my siblings got on a Zoom call. We exchanged Secret Santa gifts, laughed a lot, and everyone sampled the goodies I mailed them. It was good to see everyone joyful. That evening, my boys and families gathered at my son’s house for Christmas dinner. We exchanged some gifts, played Christmas song charades again as it was so much fun, laughed a lot and ate even more. I loved seeing my son and his wife celebrating their first Christmas together as a married couple. They were starting their new traditions and getting things all figured out. By the time we left, everyone was exhausted, but in a good way. I felt so much peace driving home in the starlit sky humming, “Silent Night”. This morning I read a quote by Pope Leo XIV from his Christmas homily:

If all of us at every level, would stop accusing others and instead acknowledge our own faults, asking God for forgiveness, and if we would truly enter into the suffering of others and stand in solidarity with the weak and the oppressed, then the world would change.”

And now, I will try to hang on to the joy, gratitude and peace. But I must stop eating so much.

I Found God today in a joyful, grateful, peaceful Christmas week.