Christmas 2014

"The shepherds went with haste to Bethlehem"

In the great feast of Christmas, we celebrate the Mystery that God chooses to be with us - to be one with us.
On December 17th 1903 the Wright brothers flew for 1st time
it was in Kitty-Hawk – North Carolina.  On the 5th attempt with their new flying machine - it was Orville who flew – for 12 seconds. After landing – his brother - Wilbur - ran to telegram office to send a message back home to their sister - Catherine 
"We have flown for 12 seconds - Will be home for Christmas"

After she received this message she ran (with haste!) to the local newspaper office and spoke to the senior editor about her Brothers' flying Machine and that they had flown for 12 seconds – and that they would be home for Christmas – if he wanted to set up an interview. He said that would be nice and he would be sure to put something in the Newspaper the next day.
2 days later – on Dec 19th – On the 6th page – there was a small note: 
Wright Brothers to be home for Christmas
The Editor had missed the major headline for that year: 
Man flies for the first time!
Will we be missing the major headline this Christmas?
The newspapers / TV shows / Commercials / On line ads are all about the message BUY, BUY, BUY.  If that is what captures our hearts – we will be missing the major headline this Christmas

Christmas Peace does not come from sales or discounts, it does not come from mistle-toe or flying sleighs, it does not come from tasty treats – though I really like tasty treats alot!
Christmas peace does not come from a product, or a gizmo, or a thing. Christmas peace comes from a person – Jesus - the word made flesh - who dwelt among us.

The jewish word Bethlehem is the combining of 2 words
Beth – Lehem – House of Bread.  Jesus Son of God and Son of Mary is born and placed in a Manger – an animal feeding trough! The Eternal word – The Bread of Life – is laid in a feeding trough 
We do not have to go to Bethlehem for today the headline is - Bethlehem comes to us!

I invite you – as you come forward to receive the Eucharist this Christmas season to very consciously open your heart in a new way to receive Christ in a new manger - your heart. Because he is the headliner – and focusing on him will give us Christmas peace!

God Bless!