Christmas Memories...

As Christmas approaches I am reminded of the years that I grew up with my parents owning a restaurant, hotel and bakery.  The front door did not have a lock on it and some people lived in the hotel as their home.  We always made room for them at our table since we ate at the restaurant.  Our main family gathering time was at Thanksgiving, not Christmas.  So after high school at the jobs I worked at, I would always volunteer to work crazy hours so other folks could spend more time with their families.  As long as I got other times with my family.  That has carried over as a priest.  I could never be with family on Christmas Eve or day.  So I have “adopted” families in every parish I have been assigned.  It is great to see the family celebrations as an outsider.  To see the children’s delight with their gifts and even to see the surprised look on the faces of adults when they open their presents.  It is a blessing to see God’s love come alive in families at Christmas time.  May this Christmas fill your hearts with memories to last the coming year.  Fr. Mike