My Epiphany

As I sit here in the quiet glow of those days after Christmas...those days when the hustle bustle is over and the peace and  joy of what just happened is more evident than any of those days leading up to it...I ponder the meaning of it all.

I always want to make Advent meaningful and somehow the commercialism and the hustle bustle seem to get in the way.  From the decorating that begins the day after Thanksgiving to the cards that I want to get out the beginning of December, that never seem to get out until a few days before Christmas.  From the gift selections to the baking and back again, to the gift selections that don't seem quite right and need to be returned and another purchased.  From the laundry and cleaning that still need to be done during this time to the parties to prepare for or go to.  And, don't forget the wrapping of those gifts and other odds and ends that find their way into the Christmas mix. Somehow, all of these things get in the way of "preparing the way" for Christmas.

It is the quiet days after Christmas that fill me with the "presence" of the infant Jesus and the man Jesus, of long ago. The Christmas Story is a beautiful one; one of hope and promise.  Yet, it is the Jesus that walked this earth, teaching us about peace, hope, joy, compassion, forgiveness, equality, inclusiveness, justice and love, that I really want to focus on and follow. So, maybe I am not so far off in waiting until the "dust settles", to allow it all to sink deep into my being.  To feel His breath within me, as I breathe.  There is something powerful about this quiet, that waits for the world to be quiet before it revels itself.  Maybe that is why the Wise Men waited until Epiphany to go and adore Him by bringing gifts.   Maybe we have it backwards.  Maybe we should do the commercial Christmas that seems to have overtaken our modern world, and then really celebrate with the Wise Men on Epiphany.  I think I will make Epiphany my new day to celebrate and adore Him.  I am glad it is on a Sunday this year and will be celebrated within the Mass.

 Epiphany means to have an "enlightened realization, allowing something to be understood from a new and deeper perspective".  I like this definition. I like the idea that maybe I have understood Christmas from a new and deeper perspective this year.  May Jesus revel himself to you this year in a new and deeper way. 

'Tis The Season for Making Memories

I don't think there is a time of the year that I treasure more than Christmas.  It is filled with memory making opportunities are every turn.

When Ron and I got married, we packed our family traditions and brought them with us.  Of course, there was some compromising to be done.  I opened my presents at Midnight on Christmas Eve.  To him, that was totally wrong.  Christmas morning was the time to open presents.  So, we compromised. We open one small gift, on Christmas Eve and our children were allowed to do the same. With grand-children, they are given that opportunity too.  But, just one.

Another tradition was going to Mass. Now that I was an official Catholic, going to Mass Christmas Eve seemed like the thing to do.  Plus, in those early years, we would go "home" on Christmas Day, so this allowed us time for Mass and time to make the trip home in the morning. How we loved walking from our little apartment to our church that was...probably, 6-7 large city blocks away.  I remember so clearly, being bundled up with heavy winter coats, scarves, gloves, hats and anything else that might keep us warm.  I remember, with a smile on my face, how we would stop on every man hole cover along the way and feel the warmth of the steam rising from them and then hurry along our way.  It was so very special, walking home along the same path and knowing we were creating our family traditions.

Through the years, that tradition changed as children came along.  Going to Mass is one of those traditions that will always remain, no matter where or how our family changes.  From going to Midnight Mass as newly married, to Christmas morning with small children, to Midnight Mass with teenagers and young adults to the Children's Mass at 4:00 PM with grand-children.  Whether it is watching a toddler walk down the aisle, all decked out in a red sequined hat and scarf to the front row or watching a jet-lagged six year old sleep through it all.  Whether it is watching an infant asleep in his carrier on his first Christmas Eve or watching him toddle up the aisle this year.  No matter when we go, it is where our Christmas is rooted.  In the love and hope and peace of that first Christmas.

A big tradition we have is one I brought into our family.  The only one I treasured as a child.  One that made me feel very special.  My family would place my baby rattle on our tree, as the very first ornament to go on.  We brought that into our family and as each child left home, got married and started their own traditions, their baby rattle went with them.  Ron was the only one who didn't have one over the years and one year Tara surprised him with his very own.  It is easy to see it is not of the 1943 circa, but it is very special to him.  Needless to say, there were a few tears shed that year.

Other traditions that we have always had and have remained, are our Advent Wreath and candles.  Each child would have their chance to light the candles.  It was a big deal in our house when they were growing up.  It has remained so for Ron and I.  We still light the candles, even if it is just the two of us.  Another, is the Nativity.  Our first one, was a small music box with just three angels and the baby Jesus.  We bought it at Kaufmann's Department Store in downtown Pittsburgh.  It still sits on a shelf, albeit with one angel's head glued and another angel's wing missing.  Our next one was one we made in a ceramic class.  One year Ron built a fairly large stable for us, out of weathered oak from my parent's garage.  It wasn't large enough to hold the 3 pieces we had made in that ceramic class, so we made a smaller set, that grew to include shepherds, wise men, angels and animals.  That is the one that was the "center piece".  However, many others have followed and you can find one in almost every room of our house.  Many are from countries where Tara has lived.

Over the years, coming home from Mass has changed, but since the kids have been adults, creating their own traditions, we come home to share a simple meal and sit around the tree with a warm fire in the fireplace.  This year, a toddler will open his first gift on Christmas Eve at Nana and Granda's.  The best part of a child joining in, is that some traditions will remain and others will change.  Change is good.  Traditions that remain are good.  It is all good and all building memories.

To memories that remain and memories that grow, and those that change
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