Story:

Once upon a time there were two kids who had grown weary of Christmas.

Same old thing, they said, year after year.

We ask for wonderful presents and we get most of what we want and on Christmas day we're disappointed, not with what we didn't get but with what we did get.

It's an anti-climax.

What's an anti-climax said the other.

The empty feeling we get when we're surrounded by all our presents and all the wrapping paper and ribbons that we've torn off them.

Oh, said the second kid, THAT feeling.

What can we do about it.

They both thought very hand about their problem.

We can't refuse the presents they agreed.

Maybe we can give more presents to others?

But that will just make them feel empty.

This is a big puzzle.

Oh. Hey, I know what to do.

What?

Let's try to be nice to everyone the week before Christmas.

To my big brother?

Yes.

What about your little sister?

That brat?

Oh, all right.

But it's going to be very hard.

Let's pretend we're walking through the cold to Bethlehem.

Even my bratty little sister?

Even your bratty little sister.

So that's what they did and it was hard but they did it just the same. and their parents thought they were sick.

But they were a lot happier on Christmas day.

They had learned the true cause for happiness.

On Christmas night our thoughts will be certainly directed to the birth of Jesus.

It is interesting that Jesus , who is our Bread of Life was born in Bethelehem, the city of bread.

Let us remember that the reason why God became man is much more important than the details of his birth.

The scripture tells us there is only one reason why Christ was born

He was born to save us from our sins and to lead us to eternal life.

The Blessed Virgin Mother expressed the real reason for happiness and joy at Christ's birth.

She stated, "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

He was conceived, born, grew up, worked, and died in order to make us whole, pure, and saintly in the eyes of the Father.

The angel told Saint Joseph, "She will bear a Son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

To the shepherds the angel said, "For today in the city of David a savior was born for you who is Messiah and Lord."

Christ is indeed our Savior and on Christmas he "became flesh and made his dwelling among us."

Just as the two boys found a journey that brought them happiness in Christmas, Christmas is a journey to Bethlehem for us.

It brings into it a new light the nature of our lives, which is a journey to the Father.

If we allow it, the light that sheds from the mystery of Christmas will brighten our whole lives.

It will lead us to the Father's House.

Our sentiments this Christmas should be sentiments of deep gratitude because we are among those who know the true meaning and purpose of Christ's coming.

We know this through the gift of faith which we have received.

We should be grateful because we are fortunate to enjoy the benefits of his coming to earth, the benefits of the Church which he founded and the benefits of the sacraments which he instilled to make us holy and lead us to salvation.

We can show our appreciation for the birth of Christ by our good Christian lives, by our regular participation in the life of Christ at Mass.

It is the wish of the Church that Christmas be more than a passing mood.

Christmas should be a time to make a firm resolution to lead better lives in union with Christ.

We must love him regularly, love him constantly and serve him continuously every day of every week throughout the year.

Christ is calling us to be more faithful followers.

Our destinies and eternal life depends on it.

May all of you have a Blessed Christmas Season and live it throughout the following year.