“The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him.”
Happy and Blessed New Year!
Today on the Sunday after Christmas we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. This blessing for all mankind started out as a blessing for a family. With the birth of Jesus there is a new Family Dynamic. Things greatly change for Mary and Joseph. They aren’t expecting anymore; their son has arrived. You parents know what that change is like. Not only in scheduling, and sleep patterns, and providing for, but their priorities have greatly shifted, their capacity for love as parents has seemed to grow immensely.
This should be a change in us as well. We have been preparing these last four week to welcome the Christ child. And as we celebrate his coming we should recognize that this changes things. We do not welcome him then simply forget about him when the party is over and the decorations are put away. This is now when the work begins. Our priorities shift as we care for this child in our hearts. How do we protect him and help him grow? What about our lives and how we live - do we need to change and grow? How do we prioritize this child above other things that seek out attention? We have received a new capacity for love, in receiving and in giving. How do we put that into action?
In this New Year may we as individuals, as families, and as a Parish Family be blessed by the Christ Child in our midst. May we continue to grow and learn and love.
From all of us here at St. Bernadette’s may you have a very Blessed New Year!
Fr. John