By Sister Mary Jo Loebig, O.C.D.
Christmas! That very word moves our hearts, and our memories. It gives us that special feeling within, telling us that all will be well. For a brief time, we forget about the bumps in the road, secretly believing that they, too, may be blessings in disguise.
We are reminded that each new Christmas brings to light again what once was given to us as a particular gift before. This means that every joy from the past is able to touch us again, no matter how forgotten it may seem. Indeed, joys get better with age.
Several times a day, when we light candles preparing for prayer in our chapel, we find ourselves praying for our friends, asking God to visit them with love and tenderness. This is something that one can do at home preparing for Christmas. Helen Keller reminds us that some of the most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
We may ask ourselves, “What gift do I really want from God this Christmas? Furthermore, what gift does God want from me?” Perhaps, the gift God most wants from each of us is simply to accept in full the deep love God is holding out to each one of us. This may be the best Christmas ever!
(Sr. Loebig resides at the Carmelite Monastery in Eldridge.)
