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Ever since her mother tried on the gloves in the department store, her ten-year-old daughter decided this would be her present to her. For weeks, she put aside part of her allowance; she earned extra money doing chores and running errands for neighbors. On Christmas morning, she saw the delight on her mother’s face as she opened the box. In the joy she experienced in bringing joy to her mom, God was born.
A group of volunteers from a local church have spent the past dozen weekends at the building site. Under the direction of the professional carpenters and trades folk who have donated their time, as well, they framed the house, enclosed the building with sheet rock, painted and tiled, and are now completing the finishing work. Whether they realize it or not, they are building more than a house for a family in need: They are making a dwelling place for God.
One night a week, she returns to her classroom at the local high school. Her students are not teenagers but adults who never finished high school and immigrants from Latin America and Asia. Together they struggle through vocabulary, spelling and literature. With each new word understood and passage grasped, this young teacher gives birth—to God.
The great Dominican theologian Meister Eckhart preached that “we are all meant to be mothers of God” for “God is always waiting to be born”. God seeks to be born in our own loveless stables and forgotten caves; God waits to come to life in Bethlehem’s of anger and hopelessness; God makes a dwelling place for himself in the Nazareth’s of our homes, school and workplaces. On this first day of 2012, we honor Mary, the Mother of God, under her most ancient title, that of Theotokos, the Greek word for “bearer of God”. In baptism into the life of Mary’s child, we are called to be “bearers of God”—to give birth to God, everyone of us, each in our own way.
I close, today the New Year 2012 lies before us like a blank canvas. So many possibilities—more than just the simple resolutions we steadfastly keep until kickoff time of today’s first football game. But a whole new year, an entity of time, begins today. We Christians believe that God has sanctified all time in his work of creation and his recreation of the world in Christ. May this new year, be truly new for each one of us—a time for renewal, for making this year a year of peace in our hearts and homes, for becoming the people of compassion God calls us to become. And may we always remember that every day can be a new start, that God enables us to always begin a new canvas, that we can erase the crooked lines and the clashing colors to begin a new work of art reflecting the beauty and light of God’s life and love. Jesus—Be born again and again through us. Amen

Ever had the experience – I know I met this person somewhere before but I don’t remember where or when. Then it all clicks, I remember.
Somewhere in heaven. When they first crossed paths, they didn’t notice one another. It was only after sitting side by side at the same dinner table several evenings in a row that they started turning their heads a second time so as to almost say, “Don’t I know you from somewhere?” Neither said anything. Then one evening they found themselves facing one another across the table. Their eyes could not help but meet and their faces had similar scars.
Finally, one said, “I’ve been noticing you for some time now. You look so familiar, but I can’t place where we may have met. I thought maybe it was in prison somewhere, but it wasn’t, because I never forget a face I knew there.”
“Funny you say that, I had a similar feeling about you, but I can’t place you. Anyway, my name is Joseph” – and he reached out across the table to shake hands. When they clasped, they both remembered immediately. The scars on the hands from the imprint of the nails – they remembered their crosses!
“Now I remember you,” Joseph said. “We were crucified with that fellow, Jesus.”
“That’s right,” Samuel piped in. “I’m surprised to see you in heaven. You said some pretty rotten things to Jesus.”
“I know. I was scared senseless, but didn’t want to let go of my macho image, so I took it out on Jesus.”
“Well, how did you get in here saying those things?”
“When I heard you admit your crime and ask for Jesus’ help, I knew that’s really how I felt in my heart, but couldn’t find the words for. Lucky thing for me Jesus paid more attention to my heart than to my lips that day.”
Lucky thing for all of us! That Jesus, our Lord and God, pays more attention to our hearts than to our lips. Lucky thing!

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars, reflecting in the snow

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not far away, we really aren’t apart.

So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear
And be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above.
I sent you each a memory of my undying love.

After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do.
For I can’t count the blessing or love he has for each of you.

So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear
Remember I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.