Christmas Day

  "She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."                     (Luke 2:7)

  Many people I encountered this month said they weren't in the spirit of the season, it didn't feel like Christmas, or they were depressed about the holiday. Why did they feel this way?
  No matter what happens to me throughout the year, as soon as Advent comes along, I am ready to put up a Christmas tree, decorate the house, send cards, do more baking, and listen to Christmas carols. All of these things are a comfort to me at a time that can be sad or stressful.
  We remember our loved ones who are no longer with us to celebrate and worry about not having enough money to buy presents. My deceased family members would want me to recall happy times, not cry about them. And, as far as money, if I plan wisely during the year, I'm debt free when it comes time for holiday shopping.
  I am definitely a kid at heart and although I never force others to be happy at Christmas, I try to bring a little bit of joy to people I know are hurting.
  It's the middle of the night right now which is thought to be the time of Christ's birth. Tradition says he was born in a stable with farm animals. St. Francis of Assisi is recognized for creating the first living nativity.
  In 1223, he was in the tiny hill town of Grecio, Italy about to celebrate Midnight Mass and discovered that the chapel in the Franciscan hermitage was too small to fit everyone. So, St. Francis of Assisi received permission from the sovereign Pontiff to create an outdoor altar and manger. He gathered hay, an ox, an ass, and sheep to commemorate the nativity of the Infant Jesus.
  In "St. Francis and the Christmas Creche" by Rev. William Saunders, he writes that "although the story is long old the message is clear to us... May we never forget to see in our hearts the Little Babe of Bethlehem, who came to save us from sin."
  Merry Christmas!

(The image above is by James Christensen.)

St. Clare of Assisi (July 16, 1194 to Aug. 11, 1253)

With the snip of a scissors, her long, flowing blonde hair became a short bob. This was my introduction to St. Clare of Assisi as a small child when I saw the movie "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" which was directed by Franco Zeffirelli (1972).
St. Clare chopped off her hair and threw away her worldly possessions to follow in the footsteps of her dear friend St. Francis of Assisi. Their story is magnificent. When I went to Assisi, Italy seeing St. Clare's Basilica was part of my experience. The fields were a palette of wildflowers and the medieval town looked much like it did in her time.
St. Clare was born in Assisi on July 16 (Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel), 1194. She was one of the very first followers of St. Francis. She founded the Order of the Poor Ladies which would become the Poor Clares after her death. St. Clare died on Aug. 11, 1253. She is the patron saint of clairvoyance and good weather. Canonization: Sept. 26, 1255

Blessed Ruggiero da Todi (? to Jan. 5, 1237)

I often wonder why some saints-to-be remain forever in Blessed mode. One example that comes to mind is Blessed Ruggiero da Todi (Roger of Todi).
He was a close friend of St. Francis of Assisi and received his habit from him, which I feel should be enough to move the process along.
St. Francis of Assisi also named Blessed Ruggiero the spiritual director of the Blessed Phillipa Mareris Community at Rieti, Italy.
Blessed Ruggiero died in Todi on Jan. 5, 1237. His feast day is celebrated on Jan. 5.