Christmas Distractions

Distractions, distractions are every where this time of the year. There is Elf, Sants Clause Coming to Town, Happy Holidays and all the other movies and songs that focus our attention on Christmas, yet the meaning is left to fly away in the wind. There are more distractions as you walk into the stores, holiday music, yes even the lovely holiday / Christmas music they play while shopping is used to distracted you in the store. By playing Christmas / Holiday music in stores it has shown to increase sales, because you will buy more when and pick up one more gift.

Yet, as we wonder through out the day, and see the trees, all the lights and decorations of Santa that are placed through out the town, we are distracted form the true gift of Christmas. As we go about the day and take that routnie drive afer dark to see how the neighbors in town have decorated or into downtown to see the spectular tree and window fronts that are only up this time of year, we lose the true meaning of Christmas.

We as a society are distracted, we hustle and bustle, and go about our day without taking the time to stop and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is so eay to be distracted in our daily life that it is easy to put the true meaning of Christmas aside and just focus on Santa Clause. Afterall, we have to get the tree, decorate it, hang the stocking with care, decorate the house, shop, wrap gift, make lists, watch the budget, decorate the rewst of the house inside and out, and send the lovely Christmas cards. There is so much that takes our attention along with having to hide all the gifts from little eyes that are peering into the closets to find those special things that are stashed away for Christmas morning.

Ever wonder what it feels like to God when our life becomes so full of distractions that we come to ignore him on a daily basis. How He feels when His dear children come to Him only on Sunday morning or when there is a need in their lives.  Ever wonder if it hurts Him deep within as He sits and watches you struggle daily with all those distractions that are occuring. As He sits there wanting to give you the peace and Love that you seek as you wrap, and decorate the house to celebrate the birth of his only Son, Jesus Christ. How a simple prayer is so effective that He hears every word and knows your every need and is wanting to provide if you would only take the time to talk to Him.

It is so easy to become so distracted that we lose God in our daily lives, not just at Christmas time but all year. How we busy ourselves and then fall into bed wanting to pray but would rather sleep those extra ten minutes then talk to our Lord and Savior. YEt, we long for God to be at home in our heart, but we get so distracted that we forget to open the front door. When all it takes is saying a simple prayer, reading a small Bible passage at home, in the car or on our mobile phones. May we all take the time this Christmas season to reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, out one true Lord and Savior!

Holiday Tragedy

Christmas is approaching and it is coming rather quickly, especially if you have done any shopping at all. Yet, during the holidays we all tend to focus on the hustle and bustle of the season. The buying, wrapping of gifts and some even focus on the true meaning of Christmas which is the birth of Jesus. But what would you do if something terrible happened to you or your loved one during this time of year?

All of a sudden the shopping and hustle and bustle seems to fade. Then we stop and reflect upon our family more, we stop and take the time to cherish every person in our life and what they bring to us. It is in these moments near the holidays and tragedy happens that we want to run and hide. We can run, but it won't change what has happened to that individual. All we can do is be there for support and love them. Yet, we are able to do so much more.

We can PRAY! Prayer is able to change all things. When the doctor's are saying there is little to no hope or that it is a bleak situation we can run to God. We pour out our prayers to Jesus, and ask His hands to heal the situation and the person. Then we wait, we wait for the miracle to happen. We believe that God is near and that He loves all His children. He would not want us to suffer or be afraid in the times of tragedy. It is in those very moments we cry out and His arms are open wide.

We pray, and pray some more. We then seek out all the prayer warriors that we know to pray for what is going on. We have extreme faith in those moments of need, yet, the rest of time we believe just not as strongly as when we may want something from God. This indeed is a sad statement, we run to God only when we are afraid, and need Him to do a miracle! The rest of the year we travel through the days, weeks, months, and go about our day without a second thought of what God wants from us or wants us to be doing in our life.

If we pray through the good times and thank God for all that we have no matter how small, He will be willing to give us so much more. If we run to Him when things are only sideways and expect Him to show up, then ignore Him the rest of the year, what kind of Children are we? Are we the type of people that only call a friend when we are in need, or want something? Or we call to say Hello and check in to see how their life is going, to share with them the good and the bad. God, is there and is always near. He sits and waits daily for you to talk to Him. He is there tugging at your heart as we go through the days and the hustle of preparing for Christmas.

The question is if something was to happen, would you call out to God for healing, guidance or would you rely on the what the doctors are saying and wait to see what will happen. If we reach out and continue to reach out and know that God's hands are near, holding all close to His heart, that His angels are all around all the time would you act or say the same things, knowing God is sitting in the room with you?

God performs miracles and Shows his Healing power on a daily basis. He is there in the ICU with the patient on the vent, the one struggling to hang onto life as we know it. He is there in the middle of it all, the question is are you willing to let Him be a part of all that is going on or do we handle it all on our own? His healing power is near, and praying, talking to God works, I know first hand. I've seen God heal when they shouldn't have lived through the night. He is a Big God and He is near. Reach out and take the hand of the one who came to earth to love and heal you!

Lost the Christmas Joy?

So Christmas is around the corner and all the hustle and bustle is upon us. Yet, some have lost that Christmas cheer! It's become a chore to get out the door, let alone be happy about the Christmas season! It's a great day and friends, family, food but that joy seems to be lost somewhere in the flood of decorations that are everywhere ! You can't walk into a store without seeing something of Christmas, stocking and Santa !

Yet, the blues have settled into your heart and there. Is just no more room for all that Christmas joy! All you want is to get through the days and make it into the next year, cause good things will be there in the days to come. So can we just skip all the joy and move right on to the new year?

Sadly, no! We have to go to mass and church and hear about the joy and the true gift of Christmas! We go back to God in theses times when all our joy is lost to find hope once again! It is in Christ that we have hope, live and true joy! All others are superficial and will let you down. Any other joy is just a temporary fix and will fade! Yet that joy from the Lord is always present. It's there when you are blue, green or any other color. It tends to be masked by things of the world when we are caught up in everything but God ! When we lose sight of Him and who we are in Him that our joy tends to fade and we focus solely on worldly things!

We children of the Lord we are able to have the security and the love of the Lord; along with His joy at all times in our lives. We know that His live and guidance will help us through all circumstances when we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel! His light is there and if we reach out and take His hand he will guide us to that never ending love and joy that only He can give! It's a joy and love that will guide you through all things.

So as we walk into this Christmas season we are able to reach out and find the hand of God there waiting to show you the joy of the season. More the. Giving and receiving gifts, rather the joy of the the Lord in the birth of Jesus! In Him we have love and joy that will never cease if we are willing to reach out and take His hand to walk with Him this Christmas season.

4 Weeks

There is a whole 4 weeks until we celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is the most wonderful time of the year. A time of sharing and giving and some recieving of wonderous gifts. Yet, it is the most hetic time of the year as well. It is a time when we all rush to accomplish all that we need to do beofre Christmas eve or Christmas Day. A time when we find all of our time is taken up by cleaning, shopping, baking, writing out cards, mailing presents to those who are not near during this time of the year. Yet, there is more to Christmas and these four weeks then we realize.

It is in these four weeks that we begin to really prepare our hearts to recieve the love of the Heavenly Father and that of His gift of Jesus. In this time we should be seeking God in an more intimate manner as we are preparing to celebrate his vigin birth into the world and all that it has to offer us as Christians. It is during this time that we are able to reach out to those who are in need, hurting and really share that Love of Jesus with them. Christmas can be a hard day for many individuals and families who are hurting and are afraid to show that deep hurt and pain. By showing them the Love and that gift if Jesus we can share with them a piece of our heart and a part of our joy that is always within us because of the Hope that Jesus brings to our lives.  We have this joy because of that personal relationship that we have with Jesus, and knowing He is there when we cal or cry out to Him!

It is in these four weeks that we are so wrapped up in the presents, baking, cooking and others things that we have to do to fully prepare the family and home for the glorous day that we often overlook so many things. We often forget that there are famlies out there that are really struggling to make ends meet, or if there children get a gift at all it will be a miracle because right now all they are focusing on is keeping them in there home. We can be a blessing to them and so many others in Christmas season. We can pick one of the tags off the tree at the mall, in the church and bless that child, adult or family in a manner that they would not be able to do on their own. We can get that tag and find a gift, but what if we blessed them in a manner that they would not expect, if they ask for a coat, get the gloves, scarf and hat that goes with it. Pick up a couple of extra outfits if the child needs clothes, you don't know long long they have to last that child and it could be close to a year before they get something new. Or when you buy that barbiew get some accessories that go with it. That child will be blessed and so happy on Christmas morning because you took the time to give to them. We can give to those in the parish as well, the sisters and priest who work so hard to keep things running smoothly at the church year round and never ask for a thing in return. They rarely get a thank you, or positive feedback. Take the time bake an extra set of cookies for them, or pick up a gift card for something you know they like. If you are unsure take the time to email the church office and ask what cookies, brownies or what their favorite store is and bless them in that way to say thank you for their service to you all year.

By giving of ourself to others, God takes notice. He sees when we are there helping those in need, and will give that blessing back to us in ways that we could never expect. By giving to those who have less, those who are hurting by giving them time to talk to you, you are giving them a piece of God's hope and love. We are after all His children, and we are to reach out and help those who are in need. If we know of a need and cannot meet it, help them get in touch with others who can guide them in the right direction, and take the time to call them and see how they are doing during this wonderous time of the year. It is amazing to see how much one can belss others in these 4 weeks if we take the time to reach out to those around us.

The Holidays

It is a joyous time of year. A time when the holidays are upon us and we look forward to spending time with those that we love. It is when we take the time when we decorate and celebrate the Holidays. There seems to be a spring in our step as we prepare to celebrate family and friends. When we all come together, and share with one another freely.
It is more than the Holidays though, it is Christmas time, a time in today’s society that has become more about the last minute shopping, Santa, hanging of stocking by the fire place, putting the new wreath on the door. Oh and don't forget the lights.  We put the lights on the trees, bushes and on the outside of the house as well. The nativity scene that we set beneath the Christmas tree to help remind us what it exactly we are celebrating. We spend so much time preparing, baking and shopping, wrapping, cleaning that it is easy to lose the real meaning of Christmas.

Christmas is a time of celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior. It is a time when we give thanks to our Heavenly Father for the gift of His son Jesus. When we sit at church / mass and listen to story of how Jesus is born, the wonder of the marvelous story of a virgin giving birth and a man willing to marry her even though she was with child prior to any relations. Something that was nearly unheard of was a man that would stand at her side proudly. It is a story of a gift that was given to all of us.

Christmas is about us celebrating His birth, where we take the time to give a small piece of ourselves to another in a form of a gift. The time that we put into the selection and wrapping of the present. Much like the Heavenly Father giving Jesus to Mary and her wrapping him to lay in the manger for the world to see Him. It is a precious gift.

It is that of a Lord and Savior that cares and loves us no matter what, a Lord that forgives and forgets. A Lord that remembers no wrong doing; a Lord that loves you so deeply that he see every tear that you shed. It can be in public or in the privacy of the bedroom. He sees your pain, your hurt and is there to comfort you with His loving arms and His Words of Comfort. He knows you intimately, so much so that He knows every hair that is on your head, even those that have fallen out. He knows the inner working of your heart, he sees your dreams, your pain, your deep hidden pain that you are afraid to share, and He knows the shame that you hold in your heart. He is there and knows you, and is willing to help you, guide you through that pain, shame and bring you to the side of joy and freedom. His Love is never ending and is ever present to you if you simply cry out to Him.

His forgiveness and love is always there and the door is always open to you, knock and it will be opened and you can walk into the arms of Jesus the true gift of Christmas. Sit in His love and find that eternal peace.

Words

Inside all of us is a spirit. We all have one, and we all have some sort of spiritual life that resides in us; no matter if we attend church daily, weekly, monthly or just a couple of times a year. We all have the same spirit that the Lord breathed into Adam when he formed him out of dust. We have a spirit that is given to us by the Father in heaven. When we are baptised and begin to walk with God, it is in those little moments that our Spirit become alive and active in us. It is now that it longs to be fed.

We continue to walk with God, our Spirit grows and we grow in christ. We fed that Spirit within by attending church and learning about Jesus and His ways. We continue to grow through things in the church like prayer and Bible study. Yet, what we often don't realize is that the we are also fed by the words that we hear on the radio, friends / family members, tv and any other sources that we tend to listen to during the day. Our spirit is affected by what we listen to and what is being spoken to us.

Yet, these words are vital to that spirit, and what we are surrounding ourselves with it also holds a lot of power in our lives. Words that are spoken can hurt and wound us deeply. They are able to strike deeper and sharper then any sword or spear could ever imigine to go. These same worlds are there and are able to bring us great Love and joy from Heaven. There is a love that we are freely given by Jesus and all we have to do is ask for it and He is willing to show it to all of us because of His death on the cross.

Our Spirit that we hold within us is one that is very fragile. It wounds easily by words and actions of others. We can be hurt by someone saying something mean or out of context and then the wound forms and bleeds within us. It is in these moments that we long for the affirmation that someone out there care and does love us for who we are, not because of what we do or have done. The spirit man is gentle, and is one who needs to be uplifted in Church or by those who we are in constant contact with on a daily basis.

So the question become who are you listening to and what are they saying to you. Is it Godly things that are to lift ones spirit. Are we around people who love and care for us like family or are we around those who are dragging us down slowly to be miserable. Misery does love company after all. Look at who and what is said to you and around you, then question is this what my Spirit needs to hear, or can I find another to talk to who will lift me up and help that fragile Spirit heal and grow daily.

Clay in Potters Hands

I have heard in the past that we are all like a clay in a potters just ready to be shaped and molded into something simply wonderful. Yet the clay had to be formed and ready for molding. As we grow in Christ and in the Church we are that like that lump of clay being handled by God and the Holy Spirit. We could become dry like dust and need a watering or two to come back into the fullness of the modeling ability.

Yet, there are others who are so dry, and have falling into dust, or have walked away from the Lord to the point that we don't even  recongize them as Christian any longer. Rather then clay they may resemble flour! A heep of white stuff there on the counter just waiting to react with another chemical to become something great. Yet, the truth be told that once we come the Jesus, He is always nearby, it is more of a question do we take that time to recongize Him in our world. In the life that we are living or is it just a Sunday thing that we do to fill our mornings.

We all came from the dust and was given the breath of God in womb from the time of our conception. In those first moments of life the Lord is there molding us, and changing the cells so we may grow into the person that we are to be according to His will and His love. We are formed in His hands and continue to walk with Him in our early years of life. We slowly come more and more into the world and lose sight of those Heavenly things as we grow.  This is because God allows us to chose if we want to continue to walk with Him on this journey or would rather take the road on our own. Yet, no matter what we have chosen He is always near to His Children when we cry out to Him. If it is in a moment of crisis or a moment of Joy, He hears all our prayers and loves us as his beloved Children.

He will sit and wait for you to want to walk with Him, yet he longs to walk and commune with you daily. He understand you, and will wait for your pompting to pull at those heart strings to have to come back the the God who made you in the womb. Yet, when we come home or start to walk with the Lord once again the then rain will begin to fall. In that spiritual rain we will find all that was lacking in the dryness of the land. It is then that we will begin to be molded once again in the Loving Fathers Hands. A time of spiritual grow, love and joy may abound in ones soul, because in all reality we have just returned home like the prodigal son. We are once again walking and being formed as we we were meant to be in the hands of the Father.