Dear Parishioners,
Today we are excited, because Christmas is only a few days away. The tree is up, the Christmas things are about the house. The little Santa Claus statues, the lights, the dish with red and green M&Ms, the little ceramic sleigh with reindeer, the nativity scene with the animals and the little baby, the beautiful angel hanging, sparkling in the tree lights. Some gifts are under the tree. We are ready. The Christmas dinner menu is organized, and everyone knows what to bring. The card tables are dusted off, the table clothes are ironed. The Christmas music is playing: Bing Crosby, Celine Dion, that George Winston CD. On the TV there is “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “A Christmas Story,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Home Alone” and others. The stores all have Christmas motifs. The externals are all in place.
But now, let us pause. Let us be quiet for a moment. Let us stop our rushing about. Let us slow down. Stop and listen. God is whispering something to us.
The young couple, Mary and Joseph, have traveled from afar and have found their place to bring to the world their new born son. Even though it is a crude and dark place, they are excited and anxious. They will be parents, and their relationship will now become a family of three. The world is changing—the sky, dark and filled with stars, will never be the same.
God whispers, “I am with you.” Listen to that still and soft voice. “I love you and send you my Son.” Let us hold in our hearts those simple words of truth and goodness. Indeed, He is with us. He is the embodiment of love. Let us welcome Him in our families, our friends, in our guests. Let us seek him out, guided by that Spirit given to us in Baptism, leading us to goodness and love. Let us adore this child and make Him the center of our Christmas!
Merry Christmas and many blessings to all,
Deacon Steve
Rev. Stephen Hook is Pastor of the Pastorate of the Visitation which includes the Catholic Churches of Pasadena, Maryland: St. Jane Frances de Chantal (Riviera Beach) and Our Lady of the Chesapeake (Lakeshore). He is assisted by Associate Pastor Rev. John Belinki, Deacon Howard Klohr, and Deacon Rick Clemens. To learn more about our pastorate, please visit www.catholicpasadena.org.
