Christmas Eve 2018

WOW!!! Where did the year go?? It’s Christmas Eve already and it seems like last Christmas was just last week.

For those of you who may have heard rumors of my untimely demise, I assure you that is was all Fake News. I am alive and well and very involved with stuff here in Nashua where it looks like we may have a White Christmas this year. It would be a truly wonderful way to conclude this Christmas season. 

Beatrice and i have had a tradition of watching Christmas movies every night from Thanksgiving until Christmas. Our collection has grown over the years to include many of the classics like A Christmas Carol and a few remakes, Miracle on 34th St, Shop Around The Corner, Christmas Vacation, and of course A Christmas Story and the Santa Clause trilogy.  The total is up to 42 this year which means that we don't get to watch them all. So each night we take turns choosing one. 

As some of you may remember, i like to repeat a Christmas sermon or possibly a Christmas story on our Christmas Eve blog. This year we watched one of our classic movies “The Bishops Wife’ staring David Niven, Cary Grant and Loretta Young.  Now this is not one of my favorites, but the final sermon given by David Niven at St. Timothy’s struck me as appropriate for this year. Let me share it with you.

Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking. Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry, a blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. 

We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts.
But especially with gifts. You give me a book, I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry can do with a new pipe.
For we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. It’s His birthday we're celebrating. Don't let us ever forget that 

Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share, loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance 

All the shinning gifts that make peace on earth.

Beatrice and I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and hope for a Blessed New Year.