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Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,
The popular Christmas carol, "O Little Town of Bethlehem," has long warmed our hearts and set the tone for our Christmas celebrations. We all know most of this carol by heart. It was written by Phillips Brooks, an Episcopal priest serving a Philadelphia parish during the Civil War. He wrote this carol while visiting the Holy Land. But before submitting it for publishing in church hymnals, he removed this verse: "Where Charity stands watching, and Faith holds wide the door; the dark night wakes the glory hearts; and Christmas comes once more."
This omitted verse is a wonderful invitation to allow God's blessings to fill our hearts in a fresh and meaningful way this Christmas. Charity, the love that unites our souls to God and God to our hearts and which binds us all one to another, lies before us in that manger and bids our hearts to live out every day of the year.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th century monk, wrote that in between the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and his second coming at the end of time, there is a third coming of Christ that is like a road leading from the first coming of Christ to his second coming. We are invited to live on that road keeping the Christmas message announced by the angels to the shepherds and heralded each year in our carols in our hearts. In St. Bernard's words: "If you keep the word of God in this way, it will also keep you. The Son with the Father will come to you... and makes all things new."
Let us live on this holy road between the first and second comings of Christ. Let our Lord take possession of your heart and fill the depths of your soul. Allow this Christmas night wake your heart and God to bless you once more with his unending gift of love.
A joyful, blessed, and wondrous Christmas to you, your family, and all those you love!
Peace and blessing,
Father Tripp+
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