1.
Christmas. Sunday, December 25, 2005
Why not greet others with Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays?
Why not turn off TV? Why not extend gift giving through this whole
season the whole 12 days. Don’t open all the gifts up at once
but one a day - twelve days. If children are around – why not
bring out an old toy? Why not go to Mass on Christmas Day instead
of participating in one of the 2 evening Masses? It’s about
Presence and not presents.
2.
Monday, December 26, 2005 Feast of St. Stephen, First Martyr
Has every carol been sung on the radio and in the culture. Has every
present been opened? Is the tree dried out? Could their be a feeling
of being overstuffed by eating / drinking from the day before. And
already the marketers are on the next step that drives our consumer
Society - Valentines Day or St. Patrick’s Day or Spring etc.
Because of the feast why not have a family discussion about forgiveness.
No “hissies”, “snits”, moods, anger, etc. It’s
about Presence and not presents.
3.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005 Feast of St. John the Apostle
Decorate the Christmas tree a little more. Look up on the internet
the meaning of all those symbols - lights, ornaments, angels and
think about / talk about why you do things in your own home. Talk
about the crib. Who are the angels, wise people in your family?
It’s about Presence and not presents.
4.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005 Feast of The Holy Innocents.
Kids Day. Or celebrate each child. Do what they want. The whole
family. If 3 / 4/ 5 children - you have 3/ 4/ 5 days taken up of
the 12 days. Forget some of the Christmas parties, work parties
and use quality time with family. If this is not an option then
why not bring a discipline of eating / drinking to your day and
to yourself. Today, celebrate the day of the Christmas Cookie or
the day of one special food. Is it not a kind of martyrdom by having
the discipline to eat / drink in moderation? Share some of your
food with another who has similar tastes as you. It’s about
Presence and not presents.
5.
Thursday, December 29, 2005 Fifth Day within the Octave of Christmas,
A day of silence, stillness, retreat. Did you ever say to yourself:
"Oh, give me peace." Maybe too much running / doing /
eating / socializing -- in the stillness and silence of your being
you find God. Make a family visit to Church. Presence and not presents.
6.
Friday, December 30, 2005 Feast of the Holy Family
Why not let the day be Family Day in your home. Mom / Dad / Children
are part of the decision making to do or be "Family".
Celebrate one another. Talk about / identify / name the goodness
of Mom, Dad, and family - all day. Play cards or games as a family.
Celebrate the Divine! “Where two or three are gathered in my
name, there am I in the midst”. It’s about Presence and
not presents.
7.
Saturday, December 31, 2005 Seventh Day within the Octave of Christmas
Why not write Christmas cards during Christmas? Why not send Christmas
messages with e-mail. Write a personal note on every card. Sign
every card. Don't let the message of the Post Office be the determining
factor of sending a meaningful message to loved ones. Write leisurely.
It’s about Presence and not presents.
8.
Sunday, January 1, 2006 - a Solemnity / A Celebration of Mary and
Peace
Why watch football all day or even TV for most of the day. Why not
experience quality time in talking about the good, virtue, etc.
that you see in the family members. Go out for a family breakfast.
It’s about Presence and not presents.
9.
Monday, January 2, 2006
Back to school? Back to work? Let the celebration continue! Whether
there is snow or not - "it does not seem like Christmas"
-- it is! Today could be the day of the special food. The day of
the fruitcake, eggnog, candy cane or natural food. And then look
up the history / reason why it's a Christmas kind of eating. Use
the internet for a positive purpose. It’s about Presence and
not presents.
10.
Tuesday, January 3, 2005
Day of Mom and Dad. You are married to one another not your children.
You are the gift for one another. When you think and pray, you separate
yourselves from the prevailing opinions. Hire a baby sitter and
enjoy a “date”. Or if that is not possible – ask
children to go to bed early – listen to your kind of music
and exchange personal gifts. It’s about Presence and not presents.
11.
Wednesday, January 4, 2005
Spend an hour (even half hour) reading scripture. Pick a day to
go to morning Mass. Be renewed, recycled, recreated. Christmas says
that humans can be recycled. Celebrate your nativity with the Divine.
It’s about Presence and not presents.
12.
Thursday, January 5, 2006-- The day of the spiritual people in your
life.
Could include grandparents, godparents, sponsors, witnesses of your
marriage day. Celebrate / honor those you love. If none of these
sacred people are around, why not consider inviting some other guest.
It’s about Presence and not presents.
Finally,
Friday, January 6, 2006
Take the tree, decorations down as a family. But it's time for more
gift-giving. It is much holier to admire / watch / be present to
one another than to watch more football games. Why not consider
ice fishing, roller skating or an outdoor event. It’s about
Presence and not presents.
