The Final Week of Advent...

So now we are in the final stretch... the last full week of advent. For me, it's a fun and exciting time, with Christmas decorations being set up, presents arriving in the mail and being carefully hidden away until the day of Christ's birth. The giving of gifts reminds me of how in some countries the person who's birthday it is does not receive gifts, but instead gives gifts to others. Which is what Christ does for us. He gives us the tremendous gift of His birth, and through it, His eternal present of the Eucharist.

Along with the Christmas season comes the reminder, "It is better to give, than to receive."
How true this is! My siblings and I received the special blessing of discovering this truth a few Christmases ago, when we attended a "Santa's Workshop", and for the first time bought Christmas gifts for each other. I can still remember the excitement of searching among crowded tables for just the right gift for my siblings, without them seeing what it was. No small task when you are one of seven!
And I remember that Christmas that we realized we were more excited watching them open the gifts we gave them than opening our own! Since then, we have eagerly looked forward to each Christmas and the moment when they see what we have gotten for them.

Of course, with all the excitement, one can still easily overlook the true reason for the season, and become engrossed in gift buying. Like Father Ariel (our pastor) says "As we continue to prepare for Christmas, we need to remind ourselves not to overspend. Gift-giving has become (or is) a wonderful part of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior. However, in a consumer society there is a danger of focusing solely on material gifts, thinking they will make us happy, and not on things that really matter like family tradition and togetherness, reconciliation for some family members, peace and serenity, a sense of hope that Jesus Christ brings. If you are going to spend, spend wisely and prudently or else...

Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house

Every creature was hurting, even the mouse.

The toys were all broken, their batteries dead,

There's still food on the table, butter and bread.

Wrapping and ribbons just cover the floor

While upstairs the family continued to snore.

To clean was my goal, so I started the action

When all of a sudden I heard a commotion.

The mailman I saw was delivering our mail,

Bill after bill, he started to wail,

"Now Jared, now Wal-mart, now Radio Shack, now Sears!

Here's even one for Target and Best Buy!" you hear.

He remarked, "To the limit, every store, every mall

Spend, spend, spend and charge in galore."

And as he left, I heard his great holiday cheer,

"Enjoy what you bought, you'll be paying all year!"

So heed the words of the wise (don't spend too much), it's better to give than to recieve, and most imporatntly, always remember...

Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Leave a footnote!