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 December
2005/January
2006
The Smell of Christmas
"Yessirree, it's the smell of Christmas," I enthused,
as Ellen stirred in the ginger and cloves. The kids took turns putting
their heads over the bowl and sniffing. "The smell of Chwistmas!" Eric
echoed with a smile. I chuckled at their joy in the simple
act of making gingerbread cookies. Silently I prayed that my children
would never lose their delight in this season.
Children are talented teachers. It is no
wonder that Jesus said we need to become like children to enter the Reign
of God (Mt. 18:3)!
It is also no wonder that we think of Christmas as the season for
children. Christmas traditions from my childhood, like making gingerbread
cookies, stringing up lights, praying with the Advent wreath, and enjoying
the music and rituals of Advent, are twice as meaningful when I repeat
them with my own kids. I have recovered much of the Christmas Spirit through
the shining eyes and simple faith of my children.
How unfortunate!
How unfortunate, not that I have recovered the Christmas Spirit,
but that I ever lost it!
Following the example of all of the bright-eyed
children out there, make the celebration of Christmas your own:
Revel in all of your favorite sights, sounds,
smells, and traditions. Rejoice in the birthday of Baby Jesus; Find him
laying in the manger and retell the story as the children tell it.
Then, with the heart of a childlike adult, give thanks for the mystery of
the God who became one of us,
and of the Son of God,
who walked our walk,
suffered, died, rose,
and is coming again in glory.
Let Him be born anew every time you hear him
in the Word, receive him in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood, or see
him in the eyes of the stranger.
Yessirree. It is all part of the smell of
Christmas!!
Chris Weber
Director
Catholic Education Ministries of Central Maryland
301-447-3707
Copyright © 2005 by the Catholic Education
Ministries Center of Central Maryland, Emmitsburg, MD 21727. All rights reserved.
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How unfortunate,
not that I have recovered the Christmas Spirit, but that
I ever lost it!
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