What do you think of Christmas?

Seeing the stores all decorated with Christmas wreaths, and trees plus plenty of holiday catalogs coming thru mail months before Christmas, it makes me think and meditate in the real meaning of Christmas.

Seeing all these, I knew that I had to write something about it, and I have been searching for words but “the right words” or the “key words” to express and describe how I feel are not easy, since I see that Christmas has become a multi-million dollar profit for all stores worldwide.
But before I start typing away my thoughts and ideas, I need to ask myself:
1-"What does the word Jesus Christ mean to you?"
2- "What does Christmas Holiday mean to you?"
3- "How do your Catholic beliefs contribute to your quality of life, your expectations of your life and your life experiences?"

I believe the life of our Lord Jesus Christ was an example for us to follow, remembering, not forgetting his sorrowful ending, but the most important legacy for us Catholics and Christians are his teaching along the way.  
And that’s how I have learned thru the Holy Gospel:
Follow His mission.- If it is a strong call, it may result in conflict with your earth-family, friends and community but your greater calling will always be to Your Creator, our Heavenly Father. 
The satisfaction you feel out of acting on your calling will far exceed your discomfort from breaking off on your own.
When you do something that is new to others, you might be seen as a fool or dupe, but follow your heart and spirit. 
Remembering that Jesus is your guide. 
Many of us experience loneliness but remember that you are truly never alone.
Heal those that seek healing but know that some people find healing through their experience with physical hardship. Suspend judgment; do not think less of those that choose the "hard way".
Knowing your true connection to our Heavenly Father is wonderful, but does not mean that life will be "easy" or that your knowledge will improve all problems. 
In fact, knowledge always brings responsibility. 
Those with greater knowledge have a greater share of responsibility.

Everyone is a child of our Heavenly Father, treat everyone with respect.
Working with friendly people is a joy, but reaching out to those that believe and think differently than you is what it is all about.
I respect other people's beliefs about what the Jesus Christ's life means to them. 
My experience is that when one focuses on the "negative", the negative seems to be there in full force, ready to be seen and experienced. 
Those that are fully connected to reality but working through love and compassion will find that life is full of joy and hope. 
One doesn't want to run away from reality, but one doesn't want to be stuck in unconstructiveness, sorrow and guilt either.

Now to bring things back down to earth a bit, perhaps we can look at the birth of Jesus in a general way. 
I like to think about his birth and reconnect with his human incarnation, linking it to all of the births that had come before and still are today. 
How miraculous is the birth of a child.
I pray that each child will be looked upon as miracle, a Chris, since we are all a part of the same God.
I encourage you to seek out what your particular religious tradition believes. 
 I would also encourage you to remain or become curious of other beliefs. 
I know that in doing so; you will find your concept of life expanding and your options with also expand. 
And never be afraid to allow your view of God to grow and change as you grow and change.


May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and your family, now and forever, Amen.

Fr. Tomas Del Valle-Reyes

Descubriendo el siglo 21

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

212.244-4778