New Eyes.

What a beautiful gift we are given this day: to celebrate the birth of our Lord.

Jesus is the reason for the season, end of story. It is called Christmas after all. Should Jesus not have come, we would not be celebrating this holiday. So why is it that so many forget what Christmas is about? Why is it that so many celebrate this holiday without acknowledging the reason we have it? I do not understand why some live in such contradiction. My own family included.

Tonight at mass so many beautiful things were brought up. The priest had wonderful things to say and a great explanation for this day. I am going to attempt to touch on some of them, however he said it so well that mine cannot compare. The unfortunate thing is out of all the members of the congregation, many heard what the priest had to say. Few actually listened. Praise be to Jesus that I was able to hear his words through Father Mike tonight.

It is an old catholic tradition to celebrate Christmas late in the night. Years ago, they would celebrate as the clock struck midnight. Why is this? It is said that Jesus was born in the night and we replicate this in order to feel a deeper unity to the miracle that occurred the night Jesus was born. Mary was brave enough to say yes to carry a baby that she did not conceive. She is a beautiful example of what it means to follow Christ, and be courageous in doing the will of God. Because of her yes, Jesus was born. God of all of heaven and earth came to us. Humbled himself and came to us as a man, so that we as humans may see him and touch him and believe in him. That we may see the light of Christ and continue to spread his good news for centuries to come. The God of all things came down...but not as God. Not as a big and strong man to fear, but as a precious child. God of all creation was born as a baby..but not in a luxurious crib, but a tiny manger in a barn. Why you ask?

Perhaps it was a sign of who Jesus was. He was born in a manger- a trough for food and drink for many creatures. Jesus came to us to be our food- to be bread broken, and wine shared. Jesus is our daily bread. Perhaps this is also why he was born in Bethlehem, for in Hebrew Bethlehem means "House of Bread".

Jesus came in the night to be a light for all the world. Born to show us the way, and died to save us from eternal damnation. Born only to die.

This Christmas may you remember why we celebrate Christmas after all. Jesus came to the earth and brought peace. May his peace rest upon you, whom he favors.

Tis the season for loving, and for giving. May you find in your hearts the love that Jesus gave you when he created you, and may you share that love with all whom come in contact with you. May all who greet you see the face of Christ, and you in return see the faces of Christ that are present all around you.

I wish that you may be filled with the Holy spirit, and see this season with new eyes. May God bless and keep you. Forget not that this is the Lord's day...and that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Merry Christmas everyone!

James.

God....always amazes me.

This year I have been able to be a part of many people's lives. They have shared their hearts with me, and allowed me to see inside of them. I have been called to each one of these people for reasons I have yet to discover. Sometimes though, I often realize why God has placed them in my life, or myself in theirs.

Since the beginning of this school year I have dove into a relationship with one of the most beautiful women I have ever met...ever. I look at her and she omits an aura of light..that beams from miles away. Her smile is extremely contagious, and my heart delights in her friendship. This woman has shared her hopes, her dreams, and her struggles with me. We have had endless conversations about what it means to be a woman of faith, and what it means to seek the Lord with our entire hearts. She has helped me realized the beauty that I contain, that has been bestowed upon me by Christ. She has such a deep love for me that she always desires me to meet her friends because she says, "They need someone like you in their life, and I know they'll just love you." Karisa Jade Gullickson I love you...so so so much.

This whole weekend has been full of wonderful conversations that have blessed my life and have taught me many lessons, and I have seen the face of Jesus in each one of them. But none more than tonight.

About a month ago Karisa told me about this guy that she graduated high school with named James that is battling cancer. Since we talked about his story, he has been on my heart. I have been praying for him for many days, yet have no idea who this young man is. Today I was sitting next to Karisa at the front desk of my Residence Hall as we were talking about him. I was curious as to how he was doing and if she had heard from him. As we were browsing his Caring Bridge site, he facebook messaged her. He had been transported to the Fargo hospital, and so he was now in the area. I have been telling Karisa that I wanted to meet this guy for a long time now, and here is this amazing opportunity.

There are so many beautiful parts of this story, I get teary eyed thinking about it. First of all, I absolutely, positively, no doubts DESPISE hospitals. Well, being in a hospital. I am scared of them and they freak me out. Tonight God took all of that fear from me. As soon as Karisa told me he was in Fargo, I told her that we should go visit. There was not a single doubt in my brain, or a single thought of my dislike for hospitals. She asked, and he gave the approval. We packed our stuff and hit the road (well, not before asking him if we could bring him anything!) So candy bars and cream sodas in hand, we headed to the hospital.

How beautiful for God to be able to take those fears from me. I have no doubts that visiting James is where I needed to be tonight. God had a hold on my heart and was calling me there. I am so blessed that I was able to hear that call and to follow it.

It is never easy to see someone ill, especially someone you love. Another beautiful thing was that Karisa was able to forget about the emotional intensity of visiting James. She loves him so much, with a love that is only given by God, that she didnt even think twice about it.

Third...even when I havent showered for a day I am self conscious about having visitors. When I am sick seeing new people is something I would dread. Despite his condition, James gave Karisa and I permission to come visit him, though I had never met him before.

Talking with him was such a beautiful gift. Every day James wakes up with the knowledge that God's will will be done, and with faith he continues to persevere through his struggles and tribulations seeking the Lord and letting God love on him. Wow...God is so good. Always loving, always merciful.

As Advent moves on and we continue to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord, challenge yourself. Seek the Lord, let him love on you so that you may be able to take that love and pour it out to those around you. Everyone says, tis the season. May you be blessed, and make the most of the things you are given.

May peace be with each of you as you continue your advent journey. Please keep James and his family in your prayers, and know of my prayers as well.

Love Always,

Sara Lynn.