This Christmas Season is a great time to celebrate the amazing gift of God's presence given to us in Christ, Who manifests Himself in various ways.
Even the exchanging of gifts at this time of year is a wonderful opportunity for reflecting on how God's presence is shown in them.
And so in accordance with a custom I have taken up on my blog, inspired by Father Larry McNally's custom in his Epiphany Sunday homily, I reflect on the recent exchanging of gifts as I experienced it.
Yet as I reflect on gifts, I realize that there were birthdays I celebrated in proximity to Christmas Day earlier in the month of December. And those birthdays speak to how relationships are an important part of life, even as Christmas is a celebration of how God desires to be in a relationship with us, taking the initiative to show His love to us.
Gold: I wanted to celebrate my friend Richard on his birthday with something nice, so I got him an e-gift card for Amazon.
Frankincense: I gave my Uncle a 2021 calendar with dog photos.
Myrrh: I got my Dad some pears from Harry and David, a treat that hearkens back to his godfather's custom years ago.
Gifts I Received
Gold: My brother gave me Amtrak gift money. I am eager to use it for enjoying the journey to somewhere in the USA.
Frankincense: My parents gave me a mouse and keyboard to go with my computer, as I had expressed that I could use those tools to make it easier to type. It will prove handy, especially as I continue virtual RE classes.
Myrrh: My Abuela gave me clothes of various kinds, though at first, I thought I was getting Swiffer cloths when I saw the box upon unwrapping my gift.
Even though the celebrations of Christmas were adjusted this time around, Christmas Day itself was still special. When I went to Church for Mass, the Church looked so splendidly decorated for Christmas Season with lights, wreaths, trees, and the creche.
Ultimately, the message of Christmas, God Who entered our world in the Incarnate to redeem our world and its sufferings, shines forth so powerfully even in such abnormal circumstances as these. And day by day, God continues to demonstrate, through various signs, that He is among us, shining, into our darkness, His great Light.
20 + C + M + B + 21
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