Papa's Post: The Gift

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Image courtesy of digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net



Something is there in Christmas that's the reason
         For the joys we feel in remembering
Those dear to us, this gift-giving season
         For young and old, for prophet, priest or king.

 Isn't love the message Christmas brings?
         That God, our Father, so loved the world He gave us
Of Himself, His gift --- the King of kings
         The Christ, His only begotten Son, to save us!

 So Jesus was born of Mary that holy night
         Tended by Joseph in a stable in a cave
And shepherds trembled, marvelled at the sight
         Of angels singing of the Gift God gave

 Verily, 'tis not in receiving but in the giving
Of our self that makes our life worth living!


Christmas 1994
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The most important person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She has built something more magnificent than any Cathedral --- a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body... The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God's creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven... Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature. God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation...

               What on God's good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?

--- Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty
      

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