Douglas Speaks: Christmas
Sermon Notes – The Joy of Christmas
“The Joy of Christmas”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
December 24 – 25, 2018
Scripture: Luke 2: 10-11
10 The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.
When a man is discerning his vocation, he enters minor seminary and earns a degree in philosophy. After that, he begins major seminary where he will study theology which is the science of who God is. God’s nature is love…He is love Himself. God is incarnate at Christmas in the sacraments. We can sit with our Lord everyday in church…with His body, blood, and divinity.
When I perform weddings, sometimes I tell the couple that this should be the saddest day of their marriage. Why? Because love grows, deepens, and becomes richer over time. As children, Christmas was a wonderful time for us, because we were not jaded by sin. As adults, it is still a wonderful time, but that’s because it is built on a deeper love for Him and greater joy.
From the time I was a child, all of my Christmases have been wonderful, even those spent in a war zone, because it is a celebration of God. I was home, because I was where I was supposed to be, and I had the joy of all Christmases past. What a blessing! Each Christmas gets better and better, because love builds on love…it grows and deepens.
Christ is our peace and joy as long as we let Him live inside us; but, when we sin, we boot Him out of our lives, and our anxieties return. He so much wants to share His love so that we can have joy, not just at Christmas, but everyday. I know that we all have our crosses to bear, but if you are having trouble finding joy, you are blind. Look around you! Joy comes from helping people have Christ in their souls. By giving love, we get love in return.
On Christmas day, I always go to the VA hospital, because nobody wants to be there. After that, I visit nursing homes. Why? Because, it’s the right thing to do and, while there, I get to experience bits of God’s incarnate love. This is where joy and peace can be found. What a gift!
We live in a violent country. But, we can end violence by accepting His peace and letting Him live inside us. Mother Theresa never started a bar fight. She was a symbol of love and compassion. She had peace and joy in her heart. She had Christ inside her soul.
How will you apply this message to your life? Will you allow Him to live inside you and bring you peace and joy? Will you serve others by helping them find Christ?
Sermon Notes – Best Christmas Present Ever
“The Best Christmas Present Ever“
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
December 19-20, 2020
Scripture: Luke 1: 26-28
In the town I grew up in, my brother’s house got a foot of snow. Darn! I really miss that! It has its own charm…that’s true, even on those cold and windy days. I remember a story that a friend of mine, Don, told me. Don, who has passed on now, was a historian in the city of Warwick. He was in his early 70’s when another friend of mine, Sara…who has also passed on, called him and asked for a ride to the hospital so that she could receive wound care. He said “Sure. I’d be happy to take you.” Both Don and Sara were great people. Sara was an exceptional woman….as all women are. She survived cancer, overcame alcoholism, and suffered from scoliosis or curvature of the spine. She had six operations along with radiation treatments and was in constant pain. She walked hunched over. Sara was on a steady diet of Vicodin and couldn’t drive herself. So, Don said he would drive her to the hospital.
They were in the car, and it was a really cold, grey November/December day. The sky was very grey, the wind was blowing, and the leaves were flying all over the place. Don was thinking, “This really bleeps!” But, Sara said, “Look Don! Look at how pretty the leaves are when they are dancing!” Although Don was miserable, he thought, “She is right…look how beautiful this is.” Don’s eyes were restored in that single moment.
Sara saw God’s love in His creation…even on what we would call a bleak New England day. He was able to see the vision of God’s love present. That vision of God’s love present and awe can be restored to us at any time. That wonder and joy can be ours…we never have to lose it…no matter our age or our condition, especially now as we approach the peace of Christmas. We can have that joy all of our days…a joy which is given by our good Lord. We can see His wonder and awe as we prepare for the celebration of the incarnation at Christmas. And, we can see the fullness of His love which was displayed on the Cross 33 short years later. We can see the wonder and awe of His love in each Mass, the Sacraments, and the feasts. It’s not that it is not there, we just don’t see it. But, it’s always there. Is it a struggle to see it sometimes? Sure it is. But it’s there, and our eyes can be opened to see God’s love. How beautiful and wonderful it is. Maybe, that’s a Christmas present you should pray for yourself and for your family this Christmas.
How will you apply this message to your life? Can you see the wonder and awe of God’s present love around you? If not, will you pray that your vision is renewed so that you can see the beauty and wonderment of His love?
Father’s Afterthoughts….I have to pass on some very important information. I cannot tell you how I learned it, because that would compromise sources and methods. But, I have been informed from a very reliable source that Santa and the reindeer are immune from COVID. So, everything is all set for Christmas.