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12/23/2021

A Reflection to Savor on Christmas

December 23, 2021

Dear Companions on the Journey,

For many years, I have savored this reflection on Christmas/ Incarnation from the late Joseph Donders:

It is night when the story starts, a pitch-dark night. In town the Roman census takers were still bending over their ledgers and books, filling in the details. Soldiers were patrolling the streets, when in the open field in a stable Mary gave birth to her child.

And then those angels came, first one, then some, and finally a whole throng. They did not go to the census takers, they did not go to Herod or the high priests, and they did not even go to the monks in the desert to tell their news.

They went to the most marginal ones in the neighborhood, they went to the shepherds.

The light of the angels shone on them; the heavenly songs were heard by them; the newness, the alternative world, the kingdom of God started among them.

It was not only the Child who was born that night. It was a whole new world, beginning not among those operating and managing the old order, but emerging from its victims in splendor and light.

That is what Mary knew and felt. That is what Simeon and Anna foresaw. That is what the angels sang. After their song they left this earth. They must have thought that He together with us could be relied upon. Amen.

What do you think?

We of the Paulist Center Staff wish you and all those you love
Christmas peace and good health for the coming year

Supremely important Links and Announcements for Christmas…

  • A recorded compilation of past Advent-Christmas Concerts is available throughout the Christmas season. The concert will be available at this link until January 2. Thank you, Bob Paine! Enjoy!
  • Families’ Zoom Liturgy of the Word, Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24th , 4-4:40pm. Here is the Link
  • Join us on Christmas Eve at the Paulist Center for Mass at 5:00pm on Friday, December 24th, please go to this link. The Order of Worship can be found here.
  • Other Christmas in-person Liturgies:
    8pm, Christmas Eve;
    10am, Christmas Day 
  • Reservations are not needed for In-Person Christmas Masses at the Paulist Center. All must wear a mask. Only exceptions: children under 5.
  • If you would like to view the 2019 Christmas Pageant, go to this link before Mass or anytime. It is about 20 minutes in length.

The Sunday bulletin is online at the Paulist Center website. We hope that you will open it with these links to see more about what is happening now at the Paulist Center Community.

We conclude with the prophet Micah 6:8:
Our Faithful God has told you, O mortal, what is good;
   and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, to love kindness,
   and to walk humbly with your God?
And let us pray for/with one another.
Michael
Michael McGarry, C.S.P.
Director, the Paulist Center

Along with Patty, Chuck, Susan, Norm, Dorothy, Barbara, Rob, Alvaro, and Sal. Please feel free to call upon your Pastoral Ministers if you wish.