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December 22, 2025“So the shepherds went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant Jesus lying in a manger.”(Christmas morning reading)
As we approach the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Christmas, may we find moments of pause, to recognize our Savior’s presence— remarkably, miraculously, mercifully—at our side no less than what the shepherds saw and felt when they glimpsed at the infant in the manger. Regardless of our respective faith journeys we are blessed, each of us, to have a certain faith passed on, to believe in a Presence that is intimately involved in all creation, and at the same time, within our personal lives. As we approach these Holy Days, I extend my gratitude to you, parishioners and visitors alike, who share your presence and faith within our Sunday Eucharist, the Sacraments, and prayers of our Church. Thank you for sharing your time and resources that allow our mission as Ascension Parish of St. John, St. Malachy, and Sacred Heart to bring forth the real presence of our Savior, and God our Father, into our lives, and hopefully, within the lives of others who are searching. For the many volunteers who share their time and abilities within the ministries and activities of our parish, thank you. And to our staff and teachers who so willingly share their faith and hope with individuals and families alike—a sacrifice of caring—we are so blessed. For your kindness and prayers, thank you. May I leave you with one story of a family’s Christmas celebration, as told by Howard LaFranchi. Like many families, we LaFranchis have our unshakable Christmas traditions, the activities and artifacts without which the holiday would not be ours.There’s the review of the Nativity sets we’ve collected from around the world. . . .
There’s the baking and decorating of the buche de Noel (using a Texas recipe). And then there is what is referred to as Dad’s Story.That’s when we all stop whatever we’re doing as Dad (that would be me) reads a a seasonal story on Christmas Eve.The repertoire is limited, with works by an exclusive group of writers who have earned their way into our festive hearts. . . .To understand how Dad’s story became a family tradition, let’s go back to Christmas Eve 1974, to my childhood home in Northern California. I was a college student questioning our Western culture of mass consumption, and as Christmas approached, I thought of our family’s previous Christmas Eve—which I recalled as a whirlwind of untied ribbons and bows, torn wrapping paper, and collapsed gift boxes. Then as now, I like opening a gift as much as anyone. But I also thought there had to be a way to remember what the day and the season are about. Something like grace. So I announced to our family—my parents, my siblings, their spouses and children—that this Christmas, we would begin with something different. I opened our old black-leather-bound LaFranchi family Bible, and read from Matthew the story of the first Christmas. Now many decades later, I often think back to that Christmas Eve, and the transformation I sensed in the reading of a story produced, as I hunt for my copy of “The Gift of the Magi,”“A Christmas Memory,”or“Zlateh the Goat.”I know my family will be expecting a story that is an indelible part of our Christmas.
Well, possibly, just one more story as told by Caroline Lubbers. My childhood Christmases were idyllic. We sat on Santa’s lap, sang Christmas carols at church, gathered with extended family on Christmas Eve, and raced down the stairs on Christmas morning. . . .Almost a decade ago, my brother passed away. In the years since, I have lost friends. Grief has a way of reshaping the holidays. . . .The absence of loved ones during the holidays is especially sharp. With a more grounded understanding of life’s complexities, I have altered how I approach the season—and how I reach out to others. For those coping with grief and loss I write cards of support, remembrance, and understanding. . . .I realized that small gestures matter more than the perfect gift or festive decoration.As I continue through middle age. . .I lean into my faith as I reflect the meaning of Christmas. . . .And, I still embrace the joy as I watch my own children race to their stockings on Christmas morning.Blessings to you this Christmas Season, Fr. TimFYI:‘Loving God, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.’(Robert Louis Stevenson)