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.
Welcome
Seeing as my current location is lovely Japan I thought a little kanji was only fitting
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
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)
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)
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