Do you remember the story in the Bible about Jacob wrestling with God?

Jacob

Jacob was destined for a great inheritance, even though he was the second-born son in the birth order.  God told his mother Rebekah that Jacob would receive the special blessing.

It all started after the Christmas Mass. My throat was feeling a little raw, so after leaving church I went to bed. Not wanting this illness to escalate, I decided to  drive myself to Urgent Care, but by the time I arrived they had already closed. The following day, just as I suspected, my condition worsened. This time Mike drove me to Urgent Care. Nothing too serious but, because of my age, I was given a seven  day’s dosage of antibiotics.

Mask

I have a tendency to misjudge others for wearing masks, especially if they are in a car driving by themself. I hated the whole mask mandate during COVID and was so excited when the ban was lifted. When I give out Holy Communion at Mass to people who insist on wearing masks, it is my responsibility to be sure that that person has removed the mask and ingested the host.

I learned a lesson about mask wearers; it’s not my business as to why they choose to wear a mask. I found myself wearing a mask when walking into Urgent Care. I did not want to compromise the health of others, and now I somewhat understand why people wear masks. There are exceptions to the rule and a small percentage of these mask wearers are suffering from some type of paranoia or phobia. To those few random people, free yourselves of all fear!

Sicker

It’s Saturday night 10:57 p.m. and I can’t sleep. Normally most of my writing for this Blog is inspired by the readings or homilies from the daily Mass.  But due to the cough and slight fever, there was no way I could attend Mass.

My hacking cough sounds like an elderly old man who has spent his entire life smoking and finally paying the price for his youthful pleasures. In the past, muscling through these illnesses was always a breeze…not anymore!

Old And Sick

Jacob, our 12-year-old grandson, was sick last week but that did not stop him from attending the Boat Parade or spending the night at a friend’s house. It took him one full day of rest to recover. Not me.  Today is day five, my laundry is piling up, the floors need to be cleaned, the sheets need changing, and at this point none of this is going to get accomplished anytime soon.

Mike has been making all the meals and keeping the kitchen clean. He really took the “in sickness and in health” part of our vows to a new level. How he keeps up with my lamenting is a miracle.

The Changing World

Another misjudgment on my behalf is prescription medication. Homeopathic has always been my preference, but now I have to set up timers for the special medication I need to take three times a day. And that does not include the thyroid medication, plus the antibiotics and cough syrup. I refused to get any type of flu or COVID immunizations because from my own experience I know for a fact that a dirty  flu shot caused my autoimmune condition. All these immunizations are products of China.

Feast Days

I have missed the feast days of Saint Stephen, the first martyr, Saint John, the Apostle and Evangelist, The Holy Innocents, martyrs and today, Sunday, December 29th, the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Saint Stephen

In Acts Chapter Seven, Saint Stephen, the first Christian  martyr, is introduced. Stephen was assigned to oversee the daily distribution to the widows of the community. The Word of God was spreading, so Jewish priests were also being converted.  As in all cases, as soon as the spread of Christianity occurs, Satan comes in with a vendetta to destroy the work of God. Thus Stephen was accused of blasphemy. Because of the tenets of the highest Jewish court, the Sanhedrin could not tolerate that Stephen was placing Jesus above Moses.

In one of the longest narratives written in the Bible Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, explains the historic  transition from Jewish beliefs to Christianity. The words that flowed from deep within him captured the truth of how the Israelites disobeyed God so many times. The members of the high court knew that Stephen was exposing their uncircumcised  hearts and ears.

In 2025 the situation will remain as it was 2,000 years ago. Some will come around, while others will continue to live a life walking around with scales over their eyes. If we  could all take into account the beautiful act of martyrdom from Saint Stephen, we would understand why he, without fear, preached the truth.

Telling The Truth

Saint Stephen, because he was filled with the Holy Spirit, was given one of the greatest platforms to preach the Word. He was completely aware of the venomous character of the Sanhedrin and how they would react to his preaching, but that only fueled the fire in him to spread the Gospel further. He also knew that being a witness and exposing truth to these stiff-necked leaders would cost his life.

As they ordered his stoning, the Sanhedrin witnessed the calm demeanor of  Stephen.  As the sky opened up to welcome him home, his last words were:

The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ is profoundly beautiful and filled with hope. As I reflect on this special blessing in my life, I thank God for knowing that nothing is impossible with Him. I continue to pray and experience small miracles for those who God has placed in my heart for prayer.  

Novena Tradition

On December 9th, I started a novena to the Infant Jesus of Prague. A Novena is a special prayer petition that is recited for nine consecutive days. Each day the prayers are different and are concentrated on particular matters. One of the main prayers of this petition is asking God what direction to take with this Blog. I want to continue to be a light for others and to bring the truth of the Gospel to those who are either confused or do not understand who God really is. 

There is a special place in my heart for those who are sitting on the fence about religion. They have one foot in the world and another foot in the murky waters of which Jesus to follow.  Those in the valley of decision will one day become great soldiers in the kingdom of God. ( Joel 3:14) They have learned from life’s experiences and have grown to trust in God. I am a perfect example of this. 

God was always on my radar, but I did not know how to converge my world with His. It took a journey of almost 15 years to make a full circle and finally understand my calling. The gratitude that I have for the Protestant teachings will forever be part of my growth. My path to Catholicism was paved by searching for real truth. This Novena will become a Christmas tradition.

St. Francis of Assisi was the first to introduce the Nativity scene to the world.

St. Francis had a special devotion to the Child Jesus. He was inspired after visiting the Holy Land  and the humble stable, a Bethlehem cave. In the year 1223, with permission from Pope Honorius III  on Christmas Eve, St. Francis set up a manger in the village of Grecio, Italy, with hay and two live  animals. There St. Francis preached about “the Babe of Bethlehem.” St. Francis was so overcome by emotion  that he could not say “Jesus.” So the first Nativity did not have Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, or wise men either, just an ox and an ass.

Silent Night

Joseph Mohr, a Catholic priest from Austria, wrote the lyrics to Silent Night. The choir director of St. Nicholas Church in  Oberndorf, Austria, Franz Xaver Gruber composed the melody. Silent Night was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818 at St. Nicholas Church.

The Holy Family

The divine providence of God was in perfect order when He picked this family. Mary was visited by the Archangel Gabriel heralding the great news of the upcoming birth of the Christ Child. Mary was engaged to marry Joseph, but when he discovered that she was with child (by the Holy Spirit) Joseph had second thoughts. After an angel appeared to him in a dream, he understood the importance of his role as the holy foster father of Jesus. He was called to protect his family from all harm.

St. Joseph is mentioned in the Bible, but he was never quoted in the Word of God. He became the silent example of holiness. He listened to the messages sent from God through holy angels, and departed to Egypt to save the Christ Child from the hands of King Herod.

Because of Joseph’s obedience,  Jesus’ life was spared from the hands of the evil King Herod. That’s what holy fathers do; they protect their children from all harm. Joseph serves as a role model on how to be a great father. The idea that he was a foster father to the Son of God gives us insight as to how deep the Lord wants fathers to exemplify Joseph’s fatherhood. Not only did he raise Jesus as his own, he handed down his trade as a carpenter to his Son. It is a common misconception that Jesus had brothers and sisters, but in New Testament times close relatives were referred to as brothers and sisters. Mary was set aside to carry the Christ Child in her womb; this was her main purpose in life, and Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, was her only child.

 

St. Anne and St. Joachim 

 

Mary was born to St. Anne and St. Joachim. St. Joachim was a wealthy man who benevolently gave to the work of God. He gave  one-third to the Temple, one-third  to the poor, and kept one-third for St. Anne and himself. They were judged harshly by their Jewish community because they were elderly and they could not bear children. They both fasted and prayed for a child. St. Joachim went to the desert and prayed for 40 days and 40 nights, while his wife fasted and prayed at the temple.

 

An angel appeared to St. Anne first to announce that she would bear a child. St. Joachim experienced an angel apparition around the same time, telling him to go back home to his wife because she was with child. When Mary was three-years-old her life was consecrated  in the temple.

 

Jesus’ Grandparents

 

As parents, St. Anne and St. Joachim made the ultimate sacrifice by consecrating Mary in the temple. They understood that Mary was a special gift from God. Their role as grandparents was to pray for the future of the Mother of God, their daughter Mary. St. Anne must have known that Mary would become the most famous woman in the world. Mothers have a God-given intuition for their children.

 

Mike and I have four grandchildren. Each one is different, and we have learned that we cannot treat them the same. We love them the same, but our involvement as grandparents is to be available to help at any time. I will drop everything when it comes to the needs of our grandchildren. I want to teach our grandchildren to love the Lord and to be an example of serving God. All grandchildren are special because we as grandparents have a great opportunity to witness what we have experienced in life. We have grown from all of our past hurts and pains, so we offer great wisdom.

My Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, may all our Christmas traditions include Jesus.  May we make  room in our heart for the greatest gift of all. Help us to fill the void in our souls, that we may receive the peace that surpasses all understanding. O Come, O Come Emmanuel! Amen.