Dear Saints,

Season’s Greetings!

We’re nearly there… Christmas is right around the corner! We’ve had fair warning that this day would soon arrive, but I hardly feel prepared. Come to think of it, I feel this way nearly every year.

My Advent preparations may not have been as serious or sustained as I would have liked. I held the line on fasting when I could, prayed with a little more attention and energy from time to time, and struggled to be stretched – time, talent, and treasure – to meet the needs of others.

But, you know, even in this sometimes muddled and haphazardly observed season, God’s grace was still at work to transform my day-to-day living. I’ve been reminded of the fact that God’s gracious generosity – his unending love – wins out even when I can’t rise to meet the challenge. (That’s actually what Christmas is all about, no?)

The central claim of Christianity is that God became human. The world was half ready (at best) for him, and God the Son still “became flesh and lived among us.” How hopeful we can be that even today, in our half-prepared hearts, he will take up residence and lead us on – as our newborn king – to embody God’s love for everyone we encounter.

Let’s sit with this awe-inspiring reality these next few days so that our hearts can be grounded in God’s love no matter how frantic things around us become.

For your reference, our Christmas Mass schedule is as follows:

Thursday, December 24 @ 3:00pm Outside in front of the church, 5:00pm Inside the church*, 5:15pm Drive-In at Walmart Parking lot, and 7:00pm Spanish Mass inside the church

Friday, December 25 @ Midnight Inside the church*, 9:00am Inside the church*, 9:15am Drive-In at Walmart Parking lot, and 11:00am Outside in front of the church

May the blessings of Christ be with you and yours,

Father Daniel

δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ

*Please note: Our indoor Christmas Masses require a reservation made through our website, www.olmc.church/Christmas