Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank thee for this place in which we dwell: for the love that unites us; for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow, for the health, the work, the food and the bright skies that make our lives delightful …Robert Louis StevensonCHRISTMAS IS FAMILY:
It’s the family huddled in the stable in Bethlehem, sharing their lodging with animals and sleeping on coarse hay yet basking in the glory of angelic music and heavenly light;
it’s the family formed through friendships when there is such a connection of similar thoughts and needs that people of varied background are drawn together into a unit of mutual caring and sharing;
it’s the family of father, mother, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins with their shared heritage and lasting traditions;
it’s the single parent family striving to stretch money and time in order to provide a nurturing home life as well as basic food, clothing and shelter for children and parent alike;
it’s the family of the parishioners of St. Mary Anne’s who “gather to worship God, welcome all in fellowship, strengthen our faith” and “go out to share and live God’s love be faithful stewards of God’s creation, help those in need”;
it’s God’s family joining together to celebrate the birth of His Son. As we strive to work in His path and be more like Jesus, shouldn’t we all focus on THIS family as the center of our lives during this blessed season and throughout the year?
Kathy Heidel
Reprinted from our 2000 Advent Reflections booklet. Kathy was a much loved parishioner who died in 2015.
