Christmas 2011

Dear Members and Friends of St. Edward’s,

As I write to you this year, just a few days before Christmas.  The ground is wet but still fairly green.  As I came to my office, I saw our white steeple standing out against a gray sky.  The air is bracingly cool and the streets are busy.  One can sense all the preparations for the coming celebrations.

Harriet and I are expecting a quieter time this year because none of our children or grandsons are coming.  Nonetheless, we are caught up with the usual worldly preparations for feasting and good cheer.  We will have a very special meal with very special wine.  We are buying presents, many to be shipped this year.  These are things in and of themselves good and worthwhile.  The wonderful mystery of Christmas is worthy of celebration and the joys of our friends and families are among the greatest comforts this earth can offer.

We must remember, however, that all of the pleasures of the coming season are real and lasting only after we have worshipped at the great mass of Christmas.  If our joy is in things, or even in friends and family alone, it is fleeting and passing, but the overwhelming, transforming joy of the message of the Incarnation will last for ever.

Let us resolve this year to keep foremost in our minds the fact that Christmas is the Christ Mass, the celebration of God made man and dwelling among us.  Let us not only in our attendance at church and in our Christmas offerings, but in our hearts and souls put Him and His love first.  How rich and wonderful then will be our celebrations and what peace we can find with Him who is the Prince of Peace.

Harriet joins me in the hope that you have a Holy and a Merry Christmas.  

 

May God’s Blessing be with you all.