We had a visiting older priest for tonight's mass. He has been with us in the past and is very good with his sermons.
He went on to say that now a days Christmas is divided into two celebrations, a secular holiday and a sacred holy-day. The secular population starts the celebration as early as the end of August in some stores with Christmas decoration merchandise already on the shelves. By the day after Thanksgiving it's in full swing. But no one hardly says Merry Christmas anymore. It's Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings etc. On December 26th everything is over with...no more music on the radio...tree's come down, decorations put away and the feeling is back to the normal routine. But the sacred holy-day celebration starts this weekend with the first Sunday of Advent. We only begin to prepare for Christmas with the mass readings and Advent Wreath, family preparations etc. We greet every one with Merry Christmas often in other languages. Our celebration doesn't end on the 26th but continues to Jan. 11th the Baptism of the Lord. We go on singing the hymns of Christmas and visiting the stable and holding on to the feeling of and true spirit of Christmas for many weeks. What celebration are you going to do this liturgical season? he asked us. What celebration will you get caught up with? Who's star are you going to follow only to find out it leads to a shopping center instead of a stable? Will your season be one of complaining to a manager that every things out of stock or praying at a manger to the One who has provided all you'd ever need. As for me and my house we won't break down doors following an unruly crowd. We will follow from a distance the wise men and eagerly await the arrival of the Newborn King. Peace to all of you this Advent Season...... Bob [EMAIL PROTECTED] Christmas Postage from HolyPostage.com <*}}}>< <http://www.holypostage.com/>Holy Postage <*}}}>< <*}}}><<http://www.halfthekingdom.org/>Half the Kingdom!<*}}}>< --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Please note that I do not send or open attachments sent to this list. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Catholics on Fire" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Catholics-on-Fire May the blessing of Jesus and our Blessed Mother be with you -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
