Happy Birthday, Jesus!

After the last of my out of town Christmas visits to shut-ins and then a little bit of last minute shopping yesterday, I was exhausted. The visits were great; but, the icy roads were awful. I tried to relax by finding something on the television to watch. The only thing that I found that was worth watching was a rerun of Mother Angelica. She was advising a woman who was trying to distance herself from the family Christmas gathering. This woman found it objectionable that they would sit around the dinner table and talk about sports and argue about politics rather than actually celebrate the birth of Jesus. Personally, I know that feeling and can empathize with the woman. Mother Angelica suggested that she try to bring the conversation around to what they were actually celebrating. She suggested that maybe the woman bring a birthday cake for dessert and have everyone sing happy birthday.

May there be many birthday cakes and much joy as we observe the holy day that is commemorated for the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Psalm 88 - Low Pits and Dark Depths

You've probably been there. Maybe, you're not now. But, most of us have been in that low pit, the darkest depths at one time or another. The last thing you feel at night is loneliness and grief and the first thing you wake up knowing is the same loneliness and grief.

We pray, "How long, LORD, before you save us from this miserable state that we have entered into?" We know that only the LORD can save us. Yet, in our deep despair, the recognition that God has not turned His back on us, humanity has turned its back on God often eludes us.

Most of us know what it is like to be in the darkness and we can empathize with those who are there now and so... we keep them in our prayers.

May the LORD grant faith to all who find themselves in this dark and lonely pit. May God grant you eyes to see His light shining in the darkness of the world.

God's Peace - Pr. J