That Holiday Cheer

Yesterday marked the end of the "Christmas" holiday in my family, which means we made our annual trip to Gilbertsville, PA after Christmas to my great-aunt Margie's house. After being greeted by her "4or Sale" sign on Santa Claus outside (i'm not kidding), we went inside for a fun afternoon of watching football, eating, and listening to relatives say crazy things.

We generally do Christmas Eve at my parents' home, Christmas at my grandmother's, and this other holiday thing the Sunday after. It's three times of listening to the same stories, being annoyed by the same people, and eating almost the same food. It's a great week though. It is something that I dread before, and cherish after it's done every year. My great-aunts and uncles, and my grandmother, are all in their late 80s and early 90s now. I do wish I was going on vacations for Christmas, or going to St. Patrick's Cathedral for mass, or doing any number of things besides what I do, but I can't replace these times when they are gone. I might hate 8 am mass on Christmas morning (ok, not "might"), but someday I won't need to do it.

I'm always happy when the Christmas season is over, mostly because it happened. This year was no different. God willing, we'll do it again in 2016.

Merry Christmas- Elvis Presley "Blue Christmas"

Pope Francis' Christmas Eve Homily

"Tonight 'a great light' shines forth (Is 9:1); the light of Jesus' birth shines all about us. How true and timely are the words of the prophet Isaiah which we have just heard: 'You have brought abundant joy and great rejoicing' (9:2)! Our heart was already joyful in awaiting this moment; now that joy abounds and overflows, for the promise has been at last fulfilled. Joy and gladness are a sure sign that the message contained in the mystery of this night is truly from God. There is no room for doubt; let us leave that to the skeptics who, by looking to reason alone, never find the truth. There is no room for the indifference which reigns in the hearts of those unable to love for fear of losing something. All sadness has been banished, for the Child Jesus brings true comfort to every heart.

Today, the Son of God is born, and everything changes. The Savior of the world comes to partake of our human nature; no longer are we alone and forsaken. The Virgin offers us her Son as the beginning of a new life. The true light has come to illumine our lives so often beset by the darkness of sin. Today we once more discover who we are! Tonight we have been shown the way to reach the journey's end. Now must we put away all fear and dread, for the light shows us the path to Bethlehem. We must not be laggards; we are not permitted to stand idle. We must set out to see our Savior lying in a manger. This is the reason for our joy and gladness: this Child has been 'born to us'; he was 'given to us', as Isaiah proclaims (cf. 9:5). The people who for two thousand years has traversed all the pathways of the world in order to allow every man and woman to share in this joy is now given the mission of making known 'the Prince of peace' and becoming his effective servant in the midst of the nations.

So when we hear tell of the birth of Christ, let us be silent and let the Child speak. Let us take his words to heart in rapt contemplation of his face. If we take him in our arms and let ourselves be embraced by him, he will bring us unending peace of heart. This Child teaches us what is truly essential in our lives. He was born into the poverty of this world; there was no room in the inn for him and his family. He found shelter and support in a stable and was laid in a manger for animals. And yet, from this nothingness, the light of God's glory shines forth. From now on, the way of authentic liberation and perennial redemption is open to every man and woman who is simple of heart. This Child, whose face radiates the goodness, mercy and love of God the Father, trains us, his disciples, as Saint Paul says, 'to reject godless ways' and the richness of the world, in order to live 'temperately, justly and devoutly' (Tit 2:12).

In a society so often intoxicated by consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance, appearances and narcissism, this Child calls us to act soberly, in other words, in a way that is simple, balanced, consistent, capable of seeing and doing what is essential. In a world which all too often is merciless to the sinner and lenient to the sin, we need to cultivate a strong sense of justice, to discern and to do God's will. Amid a culture of indifference which not infrequently turns ruthless, our style of life should instead be devout, filled with empathy, compassion and mercy, drawn daily from the wellspring of prayer.

Like the shepherds of Bethlehem, may we too, with eyes full of amazement and wonder, gaze upon the Child Jesus, the Son of God. And in his presence may our hearts burst forth in prayer: 'Show us, Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation' (Ps 85:8).

Merry Christmas- John Lennon "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)"

Merry Christmas

Well, Merry Christmas to those of you reading this. While there are historical doubts about the date and chain of events, today is the day that modern society marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem, and called Christ by Christians who would follow for two millenniums after. Whether it is a religious holiday to you, a secular holiday, or simply a day to get Chinese, for a day, our society pauses to mark a momentous historical day.

In the Wilkins Family, the actual bigger day is Christmas Eve, when we celebrate Vilija, a Slovak tradition. It is a 12 course meal that includes no meat, and follows a series of customs. I didn't follow them exact this year, because I was very annoyed to see the meal on the table before 5 pm (so I through a silent fit and watched ESPN in the living room). Eventually I did join though, and the meal was really good. Afterwards we did gifts, and I'm happy to say I have cash and gift cards to last me a while, as well as a new black Lakewood BlueClaws hat. I consider that part to be a win. It's worth noting that Wigilia, the Polish version of Vilija, is also both a tradition, and in my blood, and I want to incorporate it into next year's celebration.

Either way, it's a happy Christmas here. Everyone is healthy, and here. Maybe not everything is perfect in life, but it's good, and by getting up each day, it might get better. Today is a happy day, and a day for good hopes. May you all have a Merry Christmas, and enjoy the holiday, whether you are celebrating it or not.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

A December to Remember, 12/3- Things I'm Thankful For

Every day in December I'm going to blog about one thing that i'm thankful for and want to highlight. Today for December 3rd, I'm thankful for my Phillies tickets.

Since 1991, my father and I have had a partial season ticket plan with the Phillies. It was section 205 in Veterans Stadium, and in Citizens Bank Park it's section 108. From the proximity to the field, to the smell of Bull's Barbecue, there's not much I don't love about Phillies games. They are fun, even when the team stinks, and basically beat anything else I can do with my time. A bad day at the ballpark beats a good day at work. 

Fortunately, we've seen some really good times. We saw the Phillies win a World Series game in 2008, and went to All-Star Games, World Series games, playoff games, and opening days. We've seen history made, both good and bad. This past year, I saw 40 professional baseball games, a sort of achievement of it's own.

On the 1st, I was thankful for my geographic location, and the 2nd it was my family traditions. 

A December to Remember, 12/1- Things I'm Thankful For

Every day in December I'm going to blog about one thing that i'm thankful for and want to highlight. Today for December 1st, I'm thankful for my geography- I live in one of the best spots in the world.

If I want to drive to Philadelphia or New York, I can do it in under 90 minutes (without big traffic jams). If I want to go see a ball game, a concert, visit friends, or just take in the amazingness that two of the biggest cities in the country have to offer, I can. I go to Phillies games, Foo Fighters concerts at the Mets' Citi Field, fireworks, New Year's Celebrations, Independence Mall, and the Empire State Building, whenever I please to. People around the world save up and plan their entire lives to see these places. It's a big deal to them. People see the New York City skyline, or the Liberty Bell, or the Statue of Liberty, and their eyes light up. For most of my life, I took that for granted. I should never take that for granted. I'm lucky.