There was one message that stood out for me at church tonight. There is something about Christmas. It just feels different. Those who have millions, those who have nothing. Soldiers who don’t even have a church to go to. Refugees looking for a place to live. All can feel it. When the Son of God entered into our world He changed everything. When we celebrate it, you can feel that reality. I agree.
I Found God today able to feel His presence.
Because Christmas Day falls on a Monday this year, the church obligation is to attend a Mass on Saturday evening or Sunday morning to celebrate the 4th week of Advent, and also attend Mass on Sunday evening or Monday morning to celebrate the Christmas Holy Day. For a couple of weeks now, there has been much debate in the household and with friends as to how many Masses people were actually going to and when. My parents were raised old school Catholic, so were very willing to do what was required. Personally, I wanted to complete the Advent season, so wanted to celebrate that final week. Needless to say, my parents and I went to Mass this evening. It was a very crowded church, which we anticipated, and some people were not real happy about that. But overall, the mood was light and cheery. I noticed the responses and singing were louder than usual, perhaps because it was so crowded, perhaps because everyone fully participated. The priest’s homily was on point. The message was that just like Mary, we much participate in the act of Salvation. How do we do that? By saying “Yes” to the promptings of God. I think that everyone in that church tonight was doing exactly that. I look forward to the Christmas celebrations.
I Found God today in a community celebration.
Today I took my parents to a party for a friend who turned 95 years old. I knew him too as I sang in the church choir with them all about 30 years ago. He talked about an event that he remembered when the choir went to sing at a nursing home for Christmas one year. After performing a few songs, they asked if there were any requests. One of the ladies wanted to hear “Silent Night” in German. It just so happens that my mom knew the words and sang the song for her. The woman’s eyes well with tears that made their way down her cheeks. It is just one example of how my mom has made an impact on people.
I Found God today in an old memory of how our lives impact others.
A young woman I have known for many years has been in the forefront of my mind and heart for the past couple of days. When I would think of her, I would pray for her. We touch base every now and again via social media, but I haven’t spoken to her in a very long time. So today when my phone rang and her name appeared, I was very surprised. She told me about a tragic situation that had occurred and she was very upset. I listened for quite a while as she went through the terrible event. She was trying to make sense of the whole thing. As long as I have known her, she has had a relationship with God and continued to grow in faith. We talked about God’s infinite love and mercy, regardless of our human struggles and flaws. I was humbled that she reached out to me and so glad that we talked. It certainly explained why she was on my mind.
I Found God today connecting with a hurting young woman who was on my mind.
My nephew who joined the Navy was able to get some time off and is in the area. This evening we made plans to get together and meet his new girlfriend. That reminded my mom of a funny story. She dated a young man in the Navy for a short while. During that time, he took her to meet his parents. And just like the stereotypical stories, his mom brought out the photo album and showed her the old family pictures. And, yes, there was even the inevitable naked baby picture. We all had a good laugh and wondered if we should get out the photo album when my nephew comes for his visit.
I Found God today in a funny story.
As I was opening the Christmas cards I received in the mail today, I came across a return address that looked very familiar. It was from my parents. My mom mailed me a card from the house back to the same house. She wrote me a little note and everything. When I showed it to her, she explained how she thought about me when she saw the card. I thought that was so cute.
I Found God today in my thoughtful mother.
While I was out finishing running Christmas errands, my dad decided to get out Christmas decorations. When I returned, the nativity and tree were set up and the stockings were hung. When I asked him this evening how he found God today, he said it was in preparing for Christmas and that there was a part of a song going through his head all day. It was about baby Jesus and making room for Him in our hearts. We never did figure out exactly what song it was, but that was OK. It made an impact on my dad and the Christmas spirit in the house.
I Found God today in my dad’s Christmas spirit.
In church today, the priest addressed a couple of things on my mind. The first is that we – people – all have the same overarching desire to be known completely and loved fully and unconditionally by another person. But due to that fact that all other people are as imperfect as we are, that is something that is unattainable. However, God who created each of us knows us completely and loves us fully and unconditionally. The other desire we have is to be truly joyful. We can find joy in many things in the world we live in, but it doesn’t last. The source of true everlasting joy is again our Creator. So, the closer we come to Him, the more we can experience genuine love and joy. On this Joyful Sunday of Advent, I hope to remember this more.
I Found God today in a reminder of His true love and joy.
Today we got another package ready for Christmas mailing, but it was later in the day when I got to the post office. The main counters were already closed, but there are 3 do-it-yourself kiosks in the lobby. I have used them before and they are pretty handy. I got the postage on the box and then found that package would not fit into the deposit bin. So, I brought it back out with me to the car. I got the thought that if I found a mail person on the streets, I may be able to give them the box. I stopped at the mailboxes for the housing complex. There was no mail and no one there. I remembered that I usually see the mail truck in the adjacent neighborhood before our mail is delivered. So, I drove around a little and decided to head home and find another time to drop the box. I looked up the final street and there was a mail truck. I pulled up and asked the worker if I could give him the package. He was happy to. It was pretty funny that I had the thought, followed through, and it actually worked as I hoped. Now I can check another thing off my list.
I Found God today following through with a thought of a resolution that worked out.
My son and I went to the new Star Wars movie this afternoon. We had a great time. After the movie, we came to the house to have dinner with my mom and dad. We lit the Advent candles and read the meditation for the day. The paragraph explained how God is everywhere and in everything. They were almost the exact same words that were used to describe “The Force”. When I was a youth minister, we used to talk about the comparison of spirituality in Star Wars and in faith.
I Found God today enjoying a movie that describes God in it’s own way.
