"Is God close to you?" "Over the past year, has God spoken to you?" "Over the past twelve months have you had moments of insight or 'enlightenment'?" "Do you look back on a time when you found yourself 'at peace' with the world?" "Do you sense a 'guardian angel' watching over you?" "Are there certain places that are 'holy' or 'sacred' for you?" "Are there actions you do to bring yourself into God's presence?"

If you answer yes to any of theses questions, I imagine that you are now preparing for Christmas. These questions are a bit of a test for our Spirit life; these questions remind us how close God is to all of us.

Some of us do not know God. Others never get near to God. On the other hand, other people find ordinary ways to God through prayer and religious services. Still others see visions and are aware of God in their daily lives. However, this Christmas season is a "spiritual" time for everyone who has had any contact with the story of Jesus.

The most common reaction I have heard to Christmas is anger at the "commercialization" of it. One young lady who was at church last Sunday said, "We have not gotten to Thanksgiving yet and they are already playing Christmas carols in the store!" Then someone who is not Catholic, (I do not think he is even a churchgoer) commented to me, "How do you stand what business has done to your Christmas, Father. If I were you, I'd be very angry!"

This Christmas season touches a powerful strain of everyone's sense of how close God is to us. That is the Christmas story. God sent his Son, Jesus, to be born of Mary, to live among us, and lead us home to God. The story of Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus; the "Glory to God in the highest" from the shepherds in the fields; the angels on high praising God; the three kings who come from the East to bring their gifts to Jesus - each of us has favorite stories of the Birth of the Christ Child. These moments bring us into a closer walk with God. Take advantage of them.

We also have so many other events of Christmas that bring us into God's presence. We look forward to gathering with our family. The gifts are secondary to being together. Each family has a special tradition that they all do together. We have a certain kind of meal, different foods, and gatherings to remind us that God is with us. We love to be part of a young child's Christmas, even when we are old and grey. The child's wonder can soften our hearts and open our eyes to God who dwells among us.

In addition, there are events this Christmas season for our community. We gather for the lighting of the Christmas tree in Roslindale Village; at Sacred Heart we gather together for an evening of caroling throughout our neighborhood. We have not one, not two, but three pageants. On December 20, Sacred Heart School holds a pageant to begin the Christmas holidays; then on Christmas Eve, we offer a pageant at the Family Mass and another at the Spanish Mass.

Christmas is all about the appearance in human form of our God. So whether you are near to God or far away, these Christmas days offer you the welcome hand of God. May your heart be open to God, our Creator.