I’ve taken a little break from my blog for the Christmas holiday, but I wanted to say to all that I hope you had a happy Christmas and are looking forward to a wonderful New Year.

I can say that I had the happiest Christmas I’ve had in many, many years.

First of all, I didn’t have to work either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. As a Registered Nurse working in a hospital, that’s unusual. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I had both days off!

Second, everyone in our family was able to visit for Christmas. All three of our daughters were there, along with our two sons-in-law and our beautiful granddaughter. We went to the 6pm Mass at All Saints, the first time we’ve all attended Mass together in quite some time. I was able to serve as acolyte at the Midnight Mass later that night, serving as thurifer. I can’t wait to be ordained a deacon. It seems to me that acolytes work a lot harder at Mass than do deacons!

The next morning, we gathered in the living room where the Christmas tree is, with all the presents gathered underneath. I read the account of the birth of Christ from the Gospel According to Luke. Then all were given an opportunity to offer any prayers they had. We ended with the Lord’s Prayer, the Ave, the Gloria and Oh, my Jesus, along with the litany of family saints and closing prayer. Now, it was time for the presents. Yes, it was fun receiving gifts, and more fun giving them. The greatest fun, though, was watching our eight-month-old granddaughter open her gifts. With each gift she opened, we all spoke of the wonderful toy, or the great books, or the beautiful outfit she received, All the while, she was only thinking, “More paper to rip apart and chew on!”

That evening we enjoyed a ham and potatoes dinner while watching “A Christmas Story.” It was just so wonderful being together, enjoying each other’s company, loving on our granddaughter and being so happy and proud that my wife and I have made it to our 32nd Christmas together and our children are successful, happily married and now having their own children, or still in school and doing well. Is there anything more joyous then to see your children doing well?

I know that Christmas is not a happy time for many. I pray that our Lord will be in the hearts of those who are alone, or who are suffering, or who are mourning this Christmas. I know that my own Christmasses in the future may not be as happy as this one was (and is – it’s still Christmas!). My hope is that, no matter the circumstances that come, we will face them as a family, strong in our love for each other and in our devotion to the One Who entered history to redeem us and reconcile us with the Father and Who will come again in victory.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.