THE CATHOLIC MIRROR Vol. 54, No. 12 December 18, 2020 O Come Let Us Adore Him They had no parties. We stand at the end They had no feasts. Of a cold, dark year. They had no choirs. Amid death and despair, Just a star in the East. We ask, “Is God here?” But they had each other For we have no parties, And they had the Christ. And we have no feasts. In a cold, dark world, We have no choirs. God gave them Light. Our celebrations ceased. But we have each other And we have the Christ. Joy lives on this season. God gave us the Light. Photo by Paul Falk/Knights of Columbus #4108/St. Mary Parish, Oscaloosa The annual Oskaloosa Lighted Christmas Parade was replaced with a drive-through event this year due to COVID-19. Pictured is a nativity at St. Mary Parish, which participated in the drive-through on Dec. 6. 2 www.dmdiocese.org The Catholic Mirror December 18, 2020 Christmas magnified Two—well maybe presented himself at the parish of- as somehow united to ourselves.” ultimately enrich our culture, who three—gift stories: Christmas fice door asking to meet with the “All this originates in a sense of bring a ferment of values and pos- this year came a bit early when By pastor. The man told him he had esteem, an appreciation of the val- sibilities and who will magnify my 87-year-old Mom Marilyn Bishop a gift for him, and reached into ue of the other.” This is ultimate- our sense of universal solidarity presented me with two boxes of William his big bag and took out a two- ly the idea at the core of the word and dignity among all members Fostoria glass table serving ware Joensen foot tall carved statue of St. John “charity,” where someone is dear of the larger human family. Our that I had given her as Christmas Vianney, almost identical to the and precious to us, stirring us to gift of respect and recognition is gifts over the years. It was not smaller version he had given to freely bestow something upon that expressed in our willingness to that she was tired of the items or two-fold gift: she is full of won- me. Msgr. Joe had never told any- person. “make a place at the table”—at was sending me a message she has der at her virgin-motherhood one about giving up his cherished The Holy Father then Eucharist, in our schools and no room for me or my past gifts in and full of joy at giving birth to statue. And whoever this mysteri- neighborhoods, in prospects for her house or her heart; she is try- the Redeemer.” A two-fold gift: ous “Santa Claus” figure was, the As we conclude a year in employment not simply for sci- ing to simplify her life with a view wonder and joy that stem from willingness of this spiritual father, which life seemed to down- entists or investors, but for those toward that ultimate day—may be ongoing exchanges between this Msgr. Joe, to release something who— like St. Joseph— are it a long way off—when she is no daughter of Israel and God. The that had great meaning and value size, be simplified, what sort skilled laborers. Our support for longer with us. And spare her kids grace of immunity to original sin to him was met by an even great- of exchanges does our faith mothers and fathers who out of a some work in the process. is met with the full offering of her er—albeit quite surprising—pres- ask of us? How might we need to protect their children and Of course, I cherish the body and soul in faith to God; the ent that bore some resemblance to take the initiative to gift give them a chance at a decent glassware even more because of receptivity to the Holy Spirit in the initial gift. others simply for their own life, make their way to Africa and the “re-gifting.” It represents the turn respects the integrity of her The woodworker St. sake? then back again—or who come exchange of love and life over the virginity; the conception of a Son Joseph cherishes his bride-to- to Iowa—enriches us all as we years, and though I haven’t (and who is the Messiah is followed by be with all his heart. The news exchange faith and friendship, won’t) look on eBay to see how the unreserved dedication of this that she was pregnant with a son refers to reciprocal gifts, borne of decency and generosity with our much the items are worth today child given back to God—and to without him must have caused a the sense of “gratuitousness” that sisters and brothers under one God on the market, they have accrued a people who sorely need a Savior. double sense of grief: his bride frees us to do things “without con- our Father. in value to me because they are Like us. has given her heart and body to cern for personal gain or recom- God gives us Mary and wrapped in her steadfast spirit, Second story: Nearly 30 another, and the son is not natural- pense.” If we lack this sense, then Joseph, and above all, their Son, magnified in meaning as they stir years ago when I left my second ly his. And, yet, mysteriously, as life “becomes a form of frenetic the long-desired of every nation. memories of shared family pres- assignment as associate pastor the message he receives sinks in, commerce, which we weigh what As we conclude a year in which ence. Mom, in her selfless way, to go off for further studies, the and as his paternal, protective in- we give [and give up, I might add] life seemed to downsize, be sim- was always at the center of it all, pastor, the late Msgr. Joseph He- stincts are stirred, this just man of and what we get in return” (see plified, what sort of exchanges a nucleus of faith and daily sacri- rard, asked if there was anything I faith grasps that both this unique- Fratelli tutti nn. 93-94, 139-40). does our faith ask of us? How fice on behalf of her family—in- wanted as a parting gift. I pointed ly favored woman and this Son In what I might propose might we take the initiative to gift cluding the preparation of holiday to his 10-inch tall carved wood- of sons, true God from true God, is the prospective third gift, the others simply for their own sake? meals by one who doesn’t like to en statue of St. John Vianney on was being given back to him by pope’s reflection centers on our If we respond as the Holy Family cook! his shelf, and said, “That.” He none other than God himself. Talk ability to welcome others into our does, then the God who is never In the Preface of the seemed a little sad as he handed it about high stakes re-gifting! culture, our country. He challeng- outdone in generosity will be sure Mass dedicated to Mary, Mother to me, but I still took it. Pope Francis, in this es us to open our hearts not only to surprise us, bless us, and magni- of God, we pray: “She who knew A year later, when I pandemic year’s message on so- to receive children, but those who fy our hearts and our hope. not man becomes a mother; she stopped by on break, he related a cial friendship, speaks of the love are different, including migrants Merry Christmas and a who has given birth remains a true story to me. It seems some made possible by God’s grace that and new arrivals to our commu- Blessed New Year! virgin. What joy is hers at your months later an unknown fellow leads us to “consider the beloved nity. These are persons who will Navidad Ampliada Dos – bueno, tal vez tres que ella se hubiera cansado de inmunidad al pecado original se shacerse de algo que tenía gran nos habla del amor que la gracia – historias de regalos: la Navi- estos objetos ni que me estaba cumple cuando ofrece su cuerpo valor y significado para él recibió de Dios hace posible y que nos dad llegó un poco temprano este enviando un mensaje de que ya y alma plenamente en fe a Dios; en recompensa un regalo aún más lleva a “considerar al amado uni- año cuando mi mamá Marilyn de no tenía espacio en su casa o en la recepción del Espíritu Santo a grande – y por cierto muy sor- do a nosotros de alguna forma.” 87 años me entregó dos cajas de su corazón para mí o para los re- la vez respeta la integridad de su prendente – que se asimilaba al “Todo esto surge de un sentido artículos de cristalería para mesa galos que le había dado; ella está virginidad; a la concepción de un regalo original. de estima, el aprecio por el valor de Fostoria que por años le había tratando de simplificar su vida Hijo quien es el Mesías le sigue San José el carpintero de los demás.” Este es definitiv- regalado yo de Navidad. No es con una visión hacia ese día final una dedicación sin reserva de este adora a su futura esposa con todo amente la idea en el centro de la – que esperemos tarde mucho en niño hacia Dios – y al pueblo que su corazón.