Sunday Homily 11-30-08, 1st Advent
Readings: Isaiah 63, 16-19 & 64, 2-7; Psalm 80; 1 Corinthians 1, 3-9; Mark 13, 33-37
Isaiah: One of the big 3 Prophets, mostly because of the size of the book. At least 3 writers put this book together and this is number 3.
Thanksgiving History: Everyone knows about the first Thanksgiving in 1602 with the Pilgrims and the Indians eating together, the Mayflower, and Plymouth Rock. Here are 5 facts that people do not hear about usually.
1. When did Thanksgiving begin? Our ancestors have celebrated end of harvest feasts of gratitude for centuries. Lincoln first focused on a national feast; FDR established the national holiday in 1941.
2. The pilgrims did not know they were pilgrims. They called themselves saints, and non-saints were called strangers. The word pilgrim came along in the 18 hundreds, 2 centuries later. They were not even Puritans, but separatists. They split off from the Church of England, old Henry VIII's church, and the Puritans did not split off.
3. The Separatists did not come to establish religious freedom. They came for religious freedom for their religion and only their religion. The Separatists demanded everyone belong to their program. Failure to conform could result in execution, ala inquisition.
4. The Mayflower returned to England, was torn apart, and its beams were used ot build a barn in Buckinghamshire (just north of London & east of Oxford).
5. How did the Indians & Separatists communicate? The Indians were Algonquins & one of them, Squanto had actually lived in Briton some years. He returned to his tribe and taught his friend Samoset English. It was Samoset who communicated with the Separatists, & the Indians taught them to raise corn, to fish, and to hunt. In the first winter half of the 100 Separatists died before the Indians taught them how to survive.
How to Prepare for a Marvelous Christmas
For the first ten years of my life as a Jesuit and the ten years I was in East Africa I think every Christmas I was homesick. This was true despite my efforts to make the event a lot of fun. One year when I was in Tanzania I brought a frozen turkey down from Nairobi, Kenya, across the border into Tanzania, and threw a party Christmas day on the roof of our house, inviting friends and neighbors, many of whom were Muslim.
Because of this and because we are just beginning the season of Advent, the season of preparation for Christmas, I would like to review some ways to prepare ourselves for a marvelous Christmas. I have 5 observations.
1. First, beware of fear and depression. You read Mark's story about the man traveling abroad and you get spooked into thinking God is going to grab me when I'm not looking. Nonsense.
Depression seems to surface more during the Christmas season, because of at least one reason. Expectations. We expect more out of the Christmas season, peace, love, warm relationships, gifts. When the reality comes in below the expectation I have, I get disappointed and maybe depressed. Memories of disappointing Christmases past can also depress me.
2. Unlike Mark's warning about sleeping, I would propose that we need more rest at this darker time of the year. Our ancestors used to sleep when it went dark. Today we force ourselves to stay awake and lights keep us awake. Doctors are saying we need more sleep in the dark days of winter and are recommending, get this, 9 hours. Maybe try an extra hour. How about a nap?
3. Along with more sleep, exercise. My internist tells me that he wants me to exercise every day. I do. Walk through the neighborhood. Ride a bike. Along the way look at the colors of the red oaks and Bradford Pear trees.
4. Have you got anything special you do every year for Christmas, during Advent? Something to get you into a Christmas spirit? If not, what about finding something? Two things I have got to do every year: take in a performance of Handel's Messiah and take in the Dallas Symphony Christmas concert. I may get in an extra one or two of these, but I find this so touches my spirit.
I know a few families who tour Christmas lights. Here in Plano is Deerfield. Among the best is Highland Park, Beverly Drive and Armstrong Parkway, both east and west of Preston. In Deerfield, you may walk around. In Highland Park there are horse drawn carriages.
5. Finally, in line with Mark's gospel, watch, watch for the daily miracles and blessings. Review your year for the biggest blessings, like I mentioned before Thanksgiving. Write a blessing on one of the pieces of paper by the blessing tree. I will include one or two in each Sunday's blog. Your blessing will be a gift to someone who cannot get here to Vines for Mass and has to pick up our celebration via the blog.
I thank God each year now that I am no longer homesick at Christmas. I am home.
How are you putting together a Marvelous Christmas?
Picture 1. 17 years old, Renee Bresson, plus T.J. & Lorynne & Lacee serving
Picture 2. Barb & Ron, Diane, Mary & Frank, Anniversaries & Birthdays
Picture 3. 45th Anniversary: Mary & Frank Esparza
AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-11-30.mp3
Blessings under the Tree:
1. My biggest blessing of the year was my mom's recovery & being able able to be there for her.
2. One of my blessings is to turn 70 years of age and have my mother call at 8 A.M. and sing Happy Birthday to me.
3. A special blessing is my daughter. She has adjusted to college life so well, emotionally, physically, adademically, and much more.