The other night I was walking through the church and stopped dead in my tracks. What happened to the crèche? Where did the lights go? Who pulled down the wreaths? Where did Christmas go? It was over. We are now in Ordinary Time.
I can't help but wonder though why Christmas has to necessarily be packed away in the basement or tossed in the dumpster. We spent four weeks waiting and preparing for the birth of Christ. We spent another two weeks liturgically hearing the story of nativity. But, how are we to use the gift that is Christ?
Today, as we sit at the half way point of the first month of a new year, let us reconsider if we have packed the spirit of Christmas away or are we sharing the gift of Christ with those around us?
John Gillen |
