This year Christmas may look a little different. It’s important, however, to keep your spirit bright. Remember, the first Christmas was not what Joseph and Mary wanted the birth of their child to look like, either. Ordered to Bethlehem to be counted for a census, the time for the Christ child came to be born. There was nowhere to lodge for the night. Finding only a manger, Christ was born, swaddled and placed in an empty feeding trough.
No Creature Comforts
While in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph were away from family and all the comforts of home. Nothing was the same compared with normal everyday life for them. They knew, however, how important it was to keep one’s spirit bright. Interestingly enough, there is no talk of complaint, anger or misery mentioned in the infancy narratives in Scripture.
Count Your Blessings
Make the most of Christmas this year. Take full use of Zoom, Face Time and the like if you cannot be with your family. Order food ahead of time, have it shipped to family members or dropped off so you can all share the same meal at the same time together. Ship or drop off your presents to one another and open them together online. Share Christmas music, sing and enjoy dessert and coffee online. Maybe do a shared craft ahead of time by all members and enjoy showing them off one by one.
Spirit Bright Holiness
Remember the reason for the season and attend the same online mass with family members if you cannot attend in person. Either way, you will share the experience of Christmas mass together—the same readings, decorations, homily, Communion (actual or spiritual), prayer time and music. Don’t forget to “offer up” not actually being able to be together in person. Offering any sufferings or sacrifices in prayer is tremendously powerful. Decide what you’d like to offer it all up for, or place it in Our Lord or the Blessed Mother’s hands to decide. They always have your best interests at heart. Most importantly, keep your spirit bright. Jesus came for you. Welcome Him into your heart and home. He is always with you.
Merry Christmas.
