A return to the spirituality of a genuine Christmas will be a noble gesture of solidarity with Christianity’s spiritual victories in the world. A celebration of Christ’s birth with a sense of adoration, love, and gratitude toward the God who loved us even to the folly of giving us his own Son, will be to arrange our life so that the peace that only God can give may brighten it like a sun.
-Oscar Romero, December 15, 1978
Before I even read this I was thinking this morning (in the shower of course) of gifts. No, not trying to figure out what to buy, buy, buy! I've simplified this Christmas (to save money - one major obstacle I'm facing is credit card debt). I sent friends & family "Buy Me Nothing Coupons" with my Christmas cards and have extricated myself from the present buying frenzy. This has been so freeing, and has really helped me to focus on the "Christ" part of Christmas. I may not have gifts to unwrap Christmas morning, but ALL is Gift. God gave us Jesus, peace, and love to brighten our days.
This past year God has given me the hope, the idea, the possibility of a religious vocation. Granted, that's probably always been there but starting with seeds planted last Advent, I've become aware of it, recognized it, embraced it, and now live in hope with it. God has also given me gifts - leadership, organization, communication to name a few - that I feel called to share with the world. I yearn to "arrange my life so that the peace that only God can give may brighten it like a sun."
Peace & Christmas Joy to all who happen upon this!
Susan
2 comments:
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