WEEKLY REFLECTION – The Christmas decorations this year are very beautiful. Our church looks wonderful. Our houses and cities streets are beautifully decorated with shining lights. All shine beautifully like the stars in the sky.

Everyone wants to be the brightest star, the highest star, the biggest star. But Christmas reminds of one thing – it all began with one star.

It was a star that brought good news, a star that attracted the wise men to seek for a divine revelation, a star that pointed to the love of God in the form of a baby born in a manger. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we must be able to recognize who is the real star of the Christmas season. It is not about the theme song of “Star Wars” but “O Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie”; it is not about “a long, long time ago in a galaxy far away,” but “a long time ago in Galilee far away;” it is not about “the force awakens” but “a new hope awakens.”

It is about Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, the long awaited Savior born to us and fulfilling the promise of God to save us. Jesus is the Star of the Christmas season, the Prince-of-Peace, the Savior born in Bethlehem who is Christ the Lord. It is only in Him that we will find peace and then the wars in our hearts will be put to rest. And if we want to be stars, then let us be like that star that pointed out to the wise men where the infant King was born. Let us stars of peace and not stars of war.

"Are you ready for Christmas?" is an often-heard greeting these days and many of us will immediately think about the gifts we have yet to buy, or the cards we should have sent and didn't or the invitations that we had to turn down because of other conflicts; but are you really ready for the visit of the Christ Child?

Remember:

"C" is for Christ! Without Him there would be no reason to celebrate.

"H" is for Holy! Are we prepared to meet and greet the Holy One of God?

"R" is for Royalty! After all, He is the "King of kings and the Lord of lords."

"I" is for Incarnation! God’s becoming Man to show us the way back home.

“S” is for Savior! The gift He holds out to us is Eternal Salvation.

“T” is for Time! Have you taken the time to see what Gift Jesus wants from you?

"M" is for Mary! How could we celebrate a divine birth without a holy Mother?

"A" is for Adoration! Taking time during this season to worship the Son of God.

"S" is for Sacred! Let's keep this day holy, sacred and sane.

Remember, God's gift to you is your life; your very being. Your gift to Him is what you do with it. Just something to think about during your Prayer Time this week!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!