It is always sad to see my neighbors put out their Christmas trees by the curb the day after Christmas. Christians realize that the season needs to dwell in our hearts all year long. So, before I put away my Christmas decorations, I thought I take a second look at some of those Christmas cards received from family and friends. Note, that a few arrive via the internet with music and dancing reindeer. Tradition has it that we simply write our names, but I will take the liberty of adding a reflection on what I know is going on with these wonderful folks.Dear Father Matt, this is your deacon Stan and his beloved Marlene. We have continued to struggle together this past year with her miserable cancer. Stan’s writes that his beloved is a star of courage and strength through all the tests and treatments. Now the disease is in remission and this has been a year of rebuilding her strength. The gift this couple brings to the manger is gratitude and their prayer to the Christ Child is for more healing and perseverance.
Dear Father Matt, Phil tells me that his beloved Kathryn only 38 years-old died a month ago. In his darkness and grief, he shared stories of his angel who served as a nurse and worked many long hours to take care of her patients. He worried about the long hours she put in and felt so guilty that he wasn’t able to save her when she died in her sleep. This sorrowful man comes to the manger with his despair, guilt and anger and asks the Christ Child for forgiveness and assurance that his beloved is in heavenly peace.
Dear Father Matt, Mario and Santo have been waiting patiently over a year to have a baby. Tests revealed infertility and treatment began in the hope that they would have a child. Many prayers and lots of money and the news arrived that Maria is now expecting. Despite the worry and debt, this couple comes before the manager and prays to the Christ Child in thanksgiving and asks for a healthy baby.
Dear Father Matt, Joe and Pam are exhausted taking care of their darling daughters who continue to struggle with their epilepsy. Bella troubles grow more complicated with a recent MRI that suspects some serious brain abnormalities. More tests will be required and Joe is concerned since he has plans to teach overseas later this month on his Fulbright Scholarship. Pam and the kids are to join him in Prague, but this couple worries about their kids. They come anxious to the crib of the Christ Child and ask for wisdom on what best to do and God know that these two little ones have the best parents in the universe.
As I kneel before the manger, the gift that I ask for each of my friends is wisdom. Wisdom helps you to learn to decipher the unknown, and the unknown is our closet companion. So wisdom is the art of being courageous and generous with the unknown, of being able to decipher and recognize its treasures.
The Christ Child prays for us as we reflect: “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12).
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends in this New Year that they will find treasure in their pilgrimage to the manager. May their gift of faith be rewarded with the Christ’s Child’s desire to bring our hearts compassion, mercy and healing. Stay close to God and lets keep in touch.
