A Candle in the Window-The Door Flung Open

This Christmas has been so unlike yet still alike to all my past Christmases. The familiar mixed with the unfamiliar-no snow, carols pouring out of every radio and store, no family to gather close, but a base-wide family who took me in.
At the children's Mass tonight Fr had them all gather round after the pageant was over and had one little boy run to get a wrapped package under one of the trees in the church-he did so and Fr asked what he thought would be in it-like all kids playing detective with gifts he shook it. His eyes widened in surprise when there was no sound at all "Fr it's empty!" he cried. But the tag read To: all people of the world From: God-"Well," reasoned the priest "God wouldn't play a trick on us now would He?" The children agreed and excitedly tore the paper off only to reveal a simple cardboard box. They turned disappointedly to Fr for the answer-he unfolded it which of course created a cross and everyone realized that He had given us all the best present after all.
Merry Christmas to all.

Immaculate Conception

Today is, of course, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception-the patroness of North America! May she intercede not only for us, but for our country that seems to so desperately need to turn back to God.
 Tonight my friend waited until after I was out of Mass to eat dinner with me. This was not only nice of him, but it also gave me an opportunity to explain why I was attending Mass after work on a weekday-or as he terms it "getting my holy on." Over dinner he brought up the subject, and of course it turned into a friendly debate of sorts (he is Baptist), but I am thankful for the chance to do a little apologetics work for the first time in months. I'm sure that in the year and a half we will be stationed together he will come away with a much better understanding of the Catholic Faith as a whole, please God!


Pray for us, Mother of hope!
"Give us days of peace, watch over our way.
Let us see your Son as we rejoice in heaven". Amen!

 (from Prayer by Pope John Paul II on the Second Sunday of Advent, 8 December 2002 . Given at Piazza di Spagna)

Dragons

Today I got my first piece of mail since arriving in Japan! It was a drawing from my nephew Domi-his Momma wrote that it was a very important and he wanted sent right away :-) It sure made my day, I now have a fabulous picture of a fire-breathing dragon above my work desk...
Speaking of fire, I ran across this in my reading in the morning and the words have stayed with me throughout the day:
"Et in meditatione mea exardescit ignis" - "And un my meditation a fire shall flame up" Thats why you go to prayer: to become a blaze, a living flame giving heat and light.-Josemaria Escriva

On another topic entirely, I spent my evening packing up a box for Christmas to be sent home to the family. I had so much fun with it all, almost too much fun because the most challenging part was closing the box! I confess I couldn't resist turning on Dean Martin Christmas carols, turning up the AC and making some hot coco...felt a little crazy till I took that first sip of pepperminty chocolate, a night well spent.

Thanksgiving....and Advent

Even though its long gone Thanksgiving is still on my mind. Maybe its just because I'm putting off the singing of Christmas carols and the stringing of lights,or it could be because of the unorthodox way that we celebrated the day this year, but I like to think its because I have so much to be thankful for. I wont bore you by expressing gratitude for each single thing but this year especially I'm thankful for computers, being far away from the folks at home the magic of internet helps me stay connected. I'm also incredibly grateful for all the lovely people Ive met since moving here, I have been well taken care of and looked out for since landing on this island. There are a thousand other things but those are the the top rated this year.
Seems like its incredibly early this year but its Advent already! Today I ran across a set of daily scripture readings for the season, this mornings was grand:
Corinthians 1:3-9
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him with all speech and all knowledge--even as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you--so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ;who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Well, the lights are up downtown-gorgeous displays, Christmas carols are pouring out of every store...and its 75-80 degrees! Makes for lovely weather but I'm having a bit of difficulty wrapping my mind around the fact that it truly is the beginning of winter and Christmastide. Still I suppose snow really doesn't make the season now does it?