CHRISTMAS, Dec. 25, 2013

Written by Fr. Fitz Monday, 23 December 2013 10:43

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alt"People who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, A light has shown." IS 9:1. First Christmas Reading

Of the 26 letters of the alphabet, which three letters are not only letters, but are also words?

A..............I............O

AND THE LETTER "O" consider it as a special Christmas letter.

One of the two most beautiful Christmas songs begins: "O Come All Ye Faithful!"

But more than that, this word "O" can have so many different meanings, depending on how we say it: We might say, "O???"  And thus a question. Or we might say, O!!! And mean surprise. Or we might say, "OOO!" and this might mean sadness.

But the most beautiful "O" we might say is the "Christmas O." Because it was the exclamation of Joseph and of Mary when they glimpsed the Christ Child. It is the "O!" of wonder and awe.

And when we say this kind of "O" we are praying!

In his book, "Jesus Christ Before Christianity" by Alfred Nolan, he writes that too often fatalism is a prevailing adult attitude.

Too often, we think nothing can be done...or, "You can't change the world." Or "It has always been this way!" Or, "There is nothing new under the sun!"

But Christmas rebukes that! There IS SOMETHING....SOMEONE NEW UNDER THE SUN!

The Christ Child!

"O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant...

And exclaim before the crib: "OOO,!!"

And on this Christmas, look anew in the eyes of loved ones and say anew""OOO!!! Praise God for such wondrous gifts!"