From the Editor

All I wanted for Christmas in 2005 was to feel better. Recovering from surgery, I was exhausted and still in pain, but was nevertheless determined to persevere and celebrate the joys of the season in my usual inimitable style. At an uncharacteristic snail’s pace, I hung the ornaments on our two trees, letting others help with the lifting of the heavy boxes containing all those many decorations. Putting on my sturdiest shoes and warmest winter coat, I hauled myself into our van as my husband Dana and I made our annual trek to the Christmas tree farm at the end of our street where we once again selected the perfect balsam fir for our sunroom. “The Christmas Quarter,” (as my Dana not so laughingly refers to the full three months when our house is decked in its holiday finest), was in full swing chez Scott, even though I wasn’t.

Christmas is a time of surprises, especially so, that year. The days after my operation and preceding Christmas were filled with many unexpected visitors and gifts. My beloved Auntie Connie, who never left the side of her terminally ill sister Mary, surprised me by stopping in to check on me the day I returned home from the hospital. I was so deeply moved by her gesture that spoke volumes as to how deeply she cared about me.

On temporary assignment at St. Patrick’s in Brockton, former Sacred Heart associate pastor, Father Ron Coyne, kindly went out of his way to drop in to see Dana and me one wintry morning. With his usual exuberant and upbeat personality, Father cheered us up and with his customary priestly demeanor, he brought us Communion, conducting a prayer service in our living room before we received the Blessed Sacrament.

Not just the friends whom I counted as my own, but also my sister’s closest friends paid me a visit. The tea tray was laden with the treats they brought and the conversation continued until I needed to rest. People were unbelievably thoughtful and generous with their time. I was truly humbled that at such a hectic season when seemingly each extra second is needed, so many took the time to stop by and visit. After propping me up in bed for the night, my sister cleaned the house from top to bottom in an efficient way that I could only dream of doing. It was such a nice surprise to go downstairs the next morning to be greeted by gleaming kitchen counters, cleared of any clutter.

So many friends surprised us with dinners. Joanie stopped by with a dish of lasagna and a story that still makes us laugh. Seeing her cooking, her son Rob asked if she was making their supper. When she told him the food was for us, he put on a worried look and asked, “Mom, you know how Carole Anne makes her own sauce and is a real Italian, do you actually think that dish with sauce from a jar will be good enough for her?” Of course, it was, and was much appreciated. Ever thoughtful Fran brought us a wonderful shepherd’s pie, and the Donnas came in bearing Boston Market.

Leaving her three young sons in the custody of her sister down the street from us, my boss Beth delivered a chicken parmesan dinner, along with a poinsettia plant. My boss Lynda brought her twins, Laura and Jack, along with her for a lovely visit. Fontbonne friends surprised me with gifts, and every day a delivery truck pulled into our driveway bringing a wide array of floral pieces, an Edible Arrangement from Aunt Jo, a Christmas angel Vermont Teddy Bear, candies, and goodies. Each time we answered the door, we were greeted with another nice surprise.

But the biggest surprise of all arrived after Christmas. Every year on the Saturday closest to January 6, we hold our annual “Little Christmas Party” for family and friends. Sick though I still was, I had long before decided that the party must go on. On the afternoon before the big event, preparations were in full swing, with Cassandra and Terry already helping out. Suddenly the phone rang. Standing in the kitchen, I picked up the receiver and juggled it on my shoulder to talk. It was my Cousin Nicky from New York calling. Though our families don’t get together often enough, we New York and Boston cousins have always felt so very close to each other.

I had casually mentioned our annual Little Christmas Party to Nicky, but knew that he wouldn’t be able to attend. After all, his wife Carole’s birthday was two days before the event and just as it should be, they always celebrated her special day with their three kids, their grandchildren, and in-laws joining them for a party. I noticed that Nicky was in particularly buoyant spirits as we chatted on the phone that afternoon. He wanted to know how the preparations for the party were going, and when I told him all was under control, he seemed relieved for us.

All of a sudden, Belle and Bo, our two Australian shepherds started barking fast and furiously, a sure sign of visitors. I continued to talk to Nicky while Dana went to answer the door. Nicky asked me what all that barking was about. To which I replied, “Oh, someone is at the door.” “Who is there?” he asked. “I don’t know. Probably another deliveryman with more flowers,” I answered.

Have you guessed who was at that door? I never did, so imagine my surprise when Nicky, still talking on his cell phone, and accompanied by Carole, strolled into my kitchen! Seeing them was a wonderful surprise, one repeated as we shocked each of our relatives, one at a time, by revealing that they were in town. Since we kept the secret as we promised Nicky we would, some of our closest cousins didn’t find out about the visit until they arrived at our party the following evening. Each time, we had the fun of watching the look of happy surprise come over each face.

Do you like surprises? Not everyone does. For some, the thrill of the unexpected is invigorating and exciting; for those who are accustomed to the mundane and predictable, it can be intimidating and almost frightening. When the surprise is miraculous, it is almost too much for a human being to bear. The Christmas story is filled with people who have to contend with astonishing surprises. Zechariah and Elizabeth were an old and childless couple. When the angel Gabriel came to announce to Zechariah the news that his wife would bear a son, he was so astonished that he refused to believe it. When Gabriel visits Mary and announces that though a virgin, she will conceive and bear a son, she too is astonished, but unlike Zechariah who doubted, Mary believes and fully assents to God’s plan.

Imagine seeing an angel of the Lord standing beside you ready to announce God’s message to you. When that happened to Zechariah, he was “deeply disturbed.” Upon being greeted by Gabriel, Mary was “deeply troubled by his words.” And when the shepherds, keeping watch over their sheep, were visited by the angel of the Lord who announced to them the holy birth of the Messiah, they too “were very much afraid.”

Surprises can leave us like that. No matter how pleasant they are, the unexpected catches us off guard and can make us feel ill at ease. I still can picture our cousin who almost fainted when walking into the surprise silver anniversary party that her sons had thrown for her and her husband. These merely human surprises powerfully impact us. The truly miraculous ones leave us astonished and trembling in fear at the intersection of the human with the divine.

Yet, God’s words to us are always comforting and consoling. The angel says, “Do not be frightened, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.” To Our Lady, Gabriel comfortingly proclaims, “Do not fear, Mary. You have found favor with God.” And to the shepherds, the heavenly messenger’s reassuring words echo down to us through the millennia, “You have nothing to fear! I come to proclaim good news to you – tidings of great joy…” God constantly reminds us that we need to overcome our fear in order to rejoice in the miracles that are unfolding around us. No matter what situation is confronting us, God’s grace surrounds us, and that grace is sufficient for us to flourish.

May this Christmas season hold many happy surprises in store for you. May you know with certainty that you have nothing to fear for God walks with you on your journey, wherever its paths are leading you. May you find the peace that passes understanding, the peace that comes from trusting in God’s loving mercy and kindness. Merry Christmas!

– Carole Anne Scott

Many times, Elvis ends his conversations with “Have a blessed day.” Well, his wish to others has come back to him tenfold, for he is “blessed” with an appreciative community and adoring family. What better tribute could a mentor, husband and father earn?