Christmas, Christians, and Christ

I 'borrowed' this from Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life:

Some years ago, a class of students was asked to write about the meaning of Christmas. One student wrote, "Christmas is when Christians celebrate Christ." The teacher liked the paper, but asked the student to change that one line to "Christmas is when people celebrate love."

What, some may wonder, is the difference? After all, Christians are people and Christ is love.

Yet there is a difference - and the difference is so profound that if we miss it, we have missed the meaning of Christmas and Christ.

Of course, Christians are people. But not all people are Christians. To be a Christian is much more than to be a good person. It's about becoming a new person, sharing a new kind of life - the life of God himself. Christmas is not just about the birth of a child; it's about the birth of a whole new humanity. In Adam, all die; in Christ, all come to life again. We are made sharers, by faith and baptism, in the Divine Nature. At every Mass, as he pours a few drops of water into the wine, the priest prays, "By the mystery of this water and wine, may we come to share in the Divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity." That's what Christmas is all about. St. Augustine put it this way: "God became man that man might become God."

Preaching today too often loses sight of this fundamental dimension of the Gospel. And people therefore risk seeing Christmas as being just about good cheer, giving, family, and peace on earth. It is about those things, but only because it is first about God reconciling humanity to himself in Christ and opening the way for humanity to share divine life. Christmas is a Christian feast.

And then there's the meaning of "love." Yes, people celebrate love at Christmas, but it is only in Christ that we fully learn the nature of love and find the power to practice it. "Love one another as I have loved you," he commanded us. The love we are called to live is a love that is revealed in the Christ who gives himself on the cross, and a love that requires us to give our lives for one another. It is a love shaped by the first and greatest commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Without the love of God, we cannot find the strength to love one another. And without Christ, we do not see the full revelation of God.

Love has a content, and that content is defined by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Love is not simply the good intention, or the context, in which we do whatever we think is best. Love always requires certain actions and always prohibits certain actions.

At Christmas, God calls all people to celebrate the love that took flesh in Christ, by believing in him and following him in the new, eternal life he brings.

November Poker Winnings

I was very efficient this month. I only played about 28 hours compared to my overall average of about 87 hours per month. I made close to $20/hour this month compared to my average of about $6.80. As per the updated resolution that I made on my June 26, 2006 post, I have withdrawn my goal of $500 from my poker bankroll this month. YTD=+$6,400. '05-YTD=+$3,800. My next withdrawal of $500 is due by December 31, 2006. Please continue to wish me luck and keep me accountable.

Shocking!

I recently went to EZ LUBE for my scheduled oil change.

At the bottom of my invoice read the following, "Recommend next service on February 13, 2007 or 126,483 miles. Thank You and God Bless......."

Notice anything a little out of the ordinary?

My Sixth Royal Flush

I hit my sixth royal flush today on Absolute Poker. It was on a $2/4 Omaha Hi/Lo table. Unfortunately, it did not pay off with a large pot. I was in the big blind with [Ks Jh 5c Ah]. Only the small blind called before the flop. The flop was [Qh Kh 7c]. SB Bets $2, I call. TURN [Qh Kh 7c] [2c]. SB Bets $4, I call. RIVER [Qh Kh 7c 2c] [10h]. SB Bets $4, I raise to $8, SB calls. I take a $30.50 pot.

6/22/05-My First Royal Flush
12/01/05-My Second Royal Flush
12/22/05-My Third Royal Flush
3/14/06-My Fourth Royal Flush
4/30/06-My Fifth Royal Flush

Julie's Baptism

Julie Dougalas was baptised into the church tonight by Fr. Ray Mallett during the 5:00 Mass. It was a great ceremony. It was also the first time that Lisa and I have become Godparents (collectively). Hugh is currently on leave from Iraq for two weeks. He was dressed in his Army dress uniform. Very classy.

To me, the most moving thing that happened tonight had nothing to do with Julie's baptism. It was nice to see the many people who came up to Hugh & Jan and sincerely thanked them for their service and sacrifice for all of us.

Sweet Nothings Bakery

A few buddies of mine from Hawaii just opened up a bakery in Honolulu. They had their Grand Opening on October 25, 2006. I love their entrepreneurial spirit. I can really see them succeeding with their niche, perfect name, and excellent location (about one block from the Ala Moana Shopping Center). They've opened a sugar-free bakery called Sweet Nothings. You can read their first great write-up/review in MidWeek. Perhaps when they begin their mass expansion across the nation, I can do my part in Colorado Springs. Good Luck!

Sweet Nothings
1218 Waimanu St., Suite 102
Honolulu, HI 96814-4304
Open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
808-593-1234

Our First Listing

We have put our first home on the market. This is a very exciting and scary time for us. Hopefully we will be able to sell quickly. Click here for the link to the listing of our home.

Troops Respond to Kerry

CLASSIC!