“Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19 KJV
I had the joy of celebrating the Christmas Day Mass at my home parish this year. It was a simple service of Eucharist with Carols. About 25 people were in attendance. Arriving at Christmas morning, you could feel everyone breathing a collective sigh of relief. We had made it through the busy build up to Christmas with all of the holiday activities. Now it was time to relax and really enjoy the celebration of Christ’s birth.
The twelve days of Christmas, the little season between Christmas Eve and the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, is a true gift of the liturgical year. It is a time to relax and savor the gift of Christ’s birth. Like Mary, we can “keep all these things and ponder them in our hearts.” I find myself enjoying each day. Having an extra cup of coffee in the morning. Listening to Christmas music on Pandora and watching movies on Netflix. Playing with the grandchildren. Going for walks. Taking naps. Reconnecting with old friends. Enjoying my contemplative prayer time in candlelit darkness. Twelve whole days to savor the gifts of Christmas!
Wishing all of you a blessed Christmas season and a healthy New Year.
Paul