“A Spiritual Journey of Christmas”. In this short booklet, I spiritually reflect on Christmas, Mary, and New Years. The holiday season is filled with mindful opportunities for reflection and meditation toward improving our happiness and inner peace. I hope this booklet of my reflections helps guide your reflections. -Chris

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Through prayer and reading, I realized that for me to obtain a personal relationship with God I first needed to understand my human relationships to grasp how to approach God. This led me to the revelation that I have, in Scripture, the story of the followers of Jesus. I began to read and practice Lectio Divina in an attempt to ascertain, so as to feel, the emotions of the people who encountered Jesus. 

I’m sharing this booklet with you of my spiritual journey through my reflections from Palm Sunday through Easter. On each day I leave us challenges to guide us to deeper understandings of the feelings of the season which lead us to hope and inner peace.

This booklet contains my reflections in my attempt to feel, emotionally, as did Jesus’ followers so that I, too, could have a closer personal relationship with Him.

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In a little town in Italy, named Greccio, in the year 1223, St. Francis of Assisi, led an evening prayer service for the townspeople. To make the event meaningful he decided to recreate, live, the nativity scene of the birth of Jesus. Prior to this event, the displaying of nativity scenes was unheard of.  But for St. Francis, the importance of the nativity event was in his belief that it was a real event.  Historically, in the town of Bethlehem, a child, later to be named Jesus by his parents, was born.  Francis, believing that this child was the son of God born into our world, wanted the people of Greccio to fully understand that our God is approachable and humble for He was born as one of us.  What better way to explain this concept than by reenacting the scene with real people! As a result, over a thousand years removed from the town of Greccio, people worldwide display Nativity scenes.

In my reflections I ask myself, “This Christmas how can I make real that which happened over 2,000 years ago”?  Every year, since I was a child until now, I watch the classic show “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.  The original version brings back so many fond memories, and now as an adult I continue to enjoy it for the meaning of the story. The Grinch couldn’t take away Christmas by taking away the people’s “stuff”.  Christmas, for the Who’s in Whoville, meant a lot more than what they had or didn’t have.  For them, Christmas was an internal experience of the heart.  A deeper sense of what the season is all about.

What is Christmas all about?  Is it the birth of a child, the son of God, into the world?  And if so, what does that mean for me today?  The humble birth of Jesus is a sign of the love God has for us, and that love needs to be put into action in the love we have for others.  In order for us to fully love another we first need to love and respect ourselves.  As God becomes one of us He shows us the importance of us as humans.  If God respects us than we also need to respect ourselves   We were worthy enough for our Lord to become one of us, it is important for us to feel that worthiness within ourselves.  When we love ourselves we are more fully able to love those around us, and that outpouring of love makes “real” the presence of God in our lives.

So, what is this season all about?  Loving ourselves and loving others so that the love of God may be present in our world.  This is what St. Francis tried to show the people of Greccio.  I hope Francis’ message continues today in the nativity scenes we have set up.  This Christmas season find ways to make Jesus real in the lives of others.  If we all did this, gave the present of love to another, just think of how different our world be.  Each day is a new opportunity for us.  Let’s take the magic of this season and make today a magical day of love.

I wish you and your loved ones a very merry, blessed and peace-filled Christmas!!

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Jesus was born to this poor teenage girl in a stable in a small town in the far reaches of the Roman empire.  He was born to a girl who took a leap of faith and trusted in her God. She persevered, not knowing the outcome.  Onward she traveled, despite hardship and fear.

For me, Christmas is not only a time of celebration and remembrance; it is also a time when I feel challenged to live the example set forth by Mary; to trust, in faith, in my God; to persevere along the journey even though I may be scared or not understanding its end or purpose in my life.  Today, let’s follow the example of Mary, a poor young teenage girl, who struggled the best she could, and in the end provided the world with its savior.

I share this song for your reflection (words are below). This song sums up for me how I imagine Mary felt. How do the words speak to you?

Breath of Heaven

I have traveled many moonless nights

Cold and weary with a babe inside

And I wonder what I’ve done

Holy Father, You have come

Chosen me now to carry Your Son

Do You wonder as You watch my face

If a wiser one should have had my place

But I offer all I am for the mercy of Your plan

Help me be strong, help me be help me

Breath of heaven

Hold me together

Be forever near me

Breath of heaven

Breath of heaven

Light in my darkness

Pour over me Your holiness

For You’re holy

Breath of heaven

Hold me together

Be forever near me

Breath of heaven

Breath of heaven

Light in my darkness

Pour over me Your holiness

For Your holy breath of heaven

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Christmas has arrived!  That magical time of the year when all seems to be at peace.  That time of the year when nature seems still, wars paused, enemies celebrate together, kids believe in magic and the hope of treasure.  A time when most of us recall how we spent the season as a child, longing once again for that simplicity of life.  Amidst all the secular commercialization, this time of the year still seems to hold a special place for us.

This picture is of the manger scene our family has set up for over two decades, and since the 1980’s I have added the statue of St. Francis of Assisi to my manger scene.  Why?

In a little town in Italy, named Greccio, in the year 1223, St. Francis led an evening prayer service for the towns’ people, and to make the event meaningful he decided to recreate, live, the nativity, the birth of Jesus.  Prior to this event, the displaying of nativity scenes was unheard of.  But for Francis, the importance of the nativity event was that it was a real event.  Historically, in the town of Bethlehem, a child, later to be named Jesus by his parents, was born.  Francis, believing that this child was the son of God born into our world wanted the people of Greccio to fully understand that our God is approachable and knows us for He was born as one of us.  What better way to explain this concept than by actually reenacting the scene.  The rest, as they say, is history.

This Christmas, how can I make “real” in my life that which happened over 2,000 years ago?  Every year, since I was a child, I watch the classic show “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.  The original version brings back so many fond memories, and now as an adult I continue to enjoy it for the meaning of the story. The Grinch couldn’t take away Christmas by taking away the people’s “stuff”.  Christmas, for the Who’s in Whoville, meant a lot more than what they had or didn’t have.  For them, Christmas was an internal existence.  A deeper sense of what the season is all about.

What is Christmas all about?  Is it the birth of a child, the son of God, into the world?  And if so, what does that mean for me today?  The humble birth of Jesus is a sign of the love God has for us, and that love needs to be put into action in the love we have for others.  In order for us to fully love another we first need to love and respect ourselves.  As God becomes one of us He shows us the importance of us as humans.  If God respects us than we also need to respect ourselves   We were worthy enough for our Lord to become one of us, it is important for us to feel that worthiness within ourselves.  When we love ourselves we are more fully able to love those around us, and that outpouring of love makes “real” the presence of God in our lives.

So, what is this season all about?  Loving ourselves and loving others so that the love of God may be present in our world.  This is what St. Francis tried to show the people of Greccio.  I hope Francis’ message continues today in the nativity scenes we have set up.  This Christmas season find ways to make Jesus real in the lives of others.  If we all did this, gave the present of love to another, just think of how different our world be.  Each day is a new opportunity for us.  Let’s take the magic of this season and make today a magical day of love.

I wish you and your loved ones a very merry, blessed and peace-filled Christmas!!

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Christmas Eve, for me as a child, was one of the longest days ever! As an adult, I find this day to be one filled with anticipation and excitement, for spiritually I know that tomorrow we commemorate the birth of Jesus my Lord. But today the birth is not my focus, rather, my focus turns to His mother, Mary. Mary, an unwed teenager from a small town in a desert is asked the impossible; to trust so deeply in God when asked to bear God’s son. I have no doubt that Mary’s “yes” came with some hesitation and trepidation. And I’m sure she did not always have a pleasant time of it when dealing with her future husband, her family, and just the fact of being pregnant in general. Yet, through it all, Mary never gave up.

Jesus was born to this poor teenage girl in a stable in a small town in the far reaches of the Roman empire.  He was born to a girl who took a leap of faith and trusted in her God. She persevered, not knowing the outcome.  Onward she traveled, despite hardship and fear.

For me, Christmas is not only a time of celebration and remembrance; it is also a time when I feel challenged to live the example set forth by Mary; to trust, in faith, in my God; to persevere along the journey even though I may be scared or not understanding its end or purpose in my life.  Today, let’s follow the example of Mary, a poor young teenage girl, who struggled the best she could, and in the end provided the world with its savior.

I share this song for your reflection (words are below). This song sums up for me how I imagine Mary felt. How do the words speak to you?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RVTZDgcpqM]

Breath of Heaven

I have traveled many moonless nights

Cold and weary with a babe inside

And I wonder what I’ve done

Holy Father, You have come

Chosen me now to carry Your Son

Do You wonder as You watch my face

If a wiser one should have had my place

But I offer all I am for the mercy of Your plan

Help me be strong, help me be help me

Breath of heaven

Hold me together

Be forever near me

Breath of heaven

Breath of heaven

Light in my darkness

Pour over me Your holiness

For You’re holy

Breath of heaven

Hold me together

Be forever near me

Breath of heaven

Breath of heaven

Light in my darkness

Pour over me Your holiness

For Your holy breath of heaven 

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“Don’t spoil what you have by desiring what you don’t have; but remember that what you now have was once among the things only hoped for.” —Epicurus

 (Norman Rockwell “Traditional Thanksgiving”)

Today, in the United States, we celebrate Thanksgiving, a holiday begun in 1789 by our first president, George Washington. In Washington’s proclamation the president stated: “this is a day of national thanksgiving and prayer.”  It is a day for us to gather in remembrance and gratitude for all the blessings bestowed upon each of us, and for us, in prayer, to unite with our Creator as the one who has bestowed these blessings we now celebrate.

Thanksgiving traditionally begins that time of the year when we celebrate family, joy, peace and traditions as we head down the road to Christmas Day and later to New Year’s Eve/day. During this time I recall those special moments shared as a child; and now, as an adult, I again see that same joy, wonder and amazement through the eyes of the children in the family, and now, in their children’s eyes!

Remembering our past and viewing the present through the eyes of children hopefully returns us to a time when, in our innocence, we had a sense of awe and wonder about life. To once again ignite in us an already existing yearning to believe in things we may no longer believe as adults.

On Thanksgiving Day, many of us will be in a spirit of joy, peace and thankfulness.  We recall all that we have, and cherish those with whom we have gathered.  All is right in the world, until Friday arrives, the unfortunate other “holiday”, aptly termed “Black Friday”.

I am well aware of the origin of the term “Black Friday” in that it refers to the bottom-line budgetary profits for businesses selling goods.  But, due to the behavior of many shoppers, “Black Friday” is aptly termed.  Don’t get me wrong, I am not against consumerism nor capitalism.  I too benefit from an economy based on people spending their money.  My concern focuses on our perspective and intentions.  Do the material goods I want take priority in my life?  What are my priorities in life?  Does family and faith come first or my desire to acquire material things?  In Christian scripture we read about Jesus speaking on the topic of money and material goods, not that Jesus is against money and possessions, rather, Jesus challenges us to keep a proper perspective. In other words, do we put faith in our God or our possessions?  What is more important in our life; our money and objects, or family, our God, and sharing with those in need?

This Thanksgiving challenge yourself to have faith in family and your God, foregoing the materialism of the season. Discover how you can spread a sense of wonderment and awe we had as a child. During this holiday season, live in a sense of wonder, joy and peace. In the moment, be “child-like”.

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Today we remember all those who lost their lives, and those families who lost loved ones in an attack on innocent lives. I recall that Tuesday morning in 2001 as if it were yesterday. My question now is the same as it was 15 years ago; how do I make sense from a senseless act?

I often write about the need for us to change our perspective, so I found this quote by Henri Nouwen, a renown spiritual author, quite enlightening:

This is not to say that we give up; but rather that we re-frame our expectations toward realistic goals such as peace within ourselves, our families, our communities.  We are asked to accept and trust in God.  A trust not always easy to come by in light of the realities of the suffering in our world. How can I trust in God through all that is happening around me?

In a book entitled “Franciscan Voices on 9/11“, one of the contributors writes:

These quotes give me hope and encouragement. The wisdom of these writers encourage and challenge me to stop living in fear and sadness, rather, to take action to make a difference in our lives. We therefore need to challenge ourselves to find opportunities in our families and local community wherein we can bring about peace.

I am inspired by the then chaplain of the NYC Fire Department, Fr. Mychal Judge, OFM, who arrived at the Twin Towers shortly after they were struck by airplanes, to minister to the needs of the first responders. Fr. Mychal lost his life when the ceiling of the lobby collapsed upon him, moments before the collapse of the Tower itself. A prayer, attributed to Fr. Mychal, sums up why he did what he did; risking his life for others, and the lesson I take away from that fateful day:

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As I reflect on today, my thoughts wander to the meaning of freedom. When I think of freedom as the opposite of oppression, I not only think of physical oppression, but also of emotional and cognitive oppression. How often do we self-impose oppression through our thoughts and feelings?

On this day of independence, let’s reflect on the following quote from Viktor Frankl. In his statement he reminds us of the meaning of true freedom.

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A CAPTION WAITING TO BE WRITTEN BY YOU. When I took this photo I figured it would make a great centerpiece for one of my reflections. But, it needs a caption. Give me your suggestions and the best one will be used. Be creative.

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