It doesn’t matter how much there is still left to do, nor how much will go undone.  It doesn’t matter that the Christmas cake is a little over-cooked, nor that the casserole doesn’t taste exactly like grandmother’s did. Ingredients omitted, a gift forgotten, snow, rain, ice, cold – whether or not these things are or are not isn’t the point.

The point is, the miracle is – Christmas dawns! God’s love is poured out for us, upon us, once again. Wherever we live, whoever we are, He has sent His Son to live among us and we rejoice all over again at this tremendous gift that is greater than all others.

I know that, today, there are many among us who are hurting. People afraid, in pain. Perhaps your are one of them. Perhaps you have suffered great losses this year, and are still experiencing the fresh, biting stings of sadness from them. Perhaps, too, you did not get to do as much as you wanted to during the holiday season. You missed people, parties, and health. I did, too.  And no doubt there will be more challenges in the days and year ahead. But, through it all, in spite of it all, I can raise a hearty “Gloria!” For the point is not the parties or all of the external things we might have done. The point is faith and how it glows and grows in the light of God’s love. The point is finding the grace in our lives and letting it encourage and inspire us, as it does today.

Yes, Christmas dawns today and always, in our hearts and in our faith. Christ is born!  God loves us, no matter who, where, or what we are. Yes, He loves us – now and forever!

Amen and, yes!, Alleluia!

A very blessed Christmas to you,

Maureen