The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them. – Luke 2:16-20

This posted reading is actually the daily Mass reading for January 1, 2019. My family Christmas party was that day, and I spent time that morning preparing broccoli rabe, and the afternoon and early evening at the family event

As it turned out, the party was more successful than many of us thought it would be. Over the years, party attendance has ebbed and flowed, as different aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends have found their way to the rented hall where my mom, sisters, brother and I, and our spouses and children, have met for the past 5 years to celebrate Christmas. There is a gym, a stage, and a basketball hoop for the kids (and husbands!) to work off any physical energy. The rest of us sit at tables and eat, and I always worry that there won’t be enough food to feed everyone, and I always worry for no reason.

The main event of the day every year is something we have affectionately named “the circle.” After everyone eats and/or exchanges gifts or plays bingo, my mom asks everyone to bring a chair to the center of the gym floor and form a circle with our seats. Then she asks everyone to name something they are thankful for in the past year, and also to name something they would like to accomplish in the year ahead. A few of us inwardly feel dread when we hear the announcement that my mom has called for “the circle” to commence shortly. We have witnessed sharing through the years that has not been lighthearted, emotions shared that have brought forward tears. Some choose not to join “the circle” that year, knowing that we cannot share without bringing sadness to the room. I thought I should be a non-joiner this year and keep my sadness to myself. A few other people did not join as well. But it seems that the younger kids look forward to their moment in the spotlight. They don’t seem to have any shyness and are excited to share their past year’s accomplishments and future year’s goals with family and friends.

This year, my mom asked her brother Jim, my uncle, to lead in an opening prayer. He began a wonderful prayer by mentioning the Star of Bethlehem and how it led the Magi from another land to journey to the stable in Bethlehem. He thanked God that aunts, uncles, and cousins from other places had been led to this family place, like the Magi. Family at the celebration had journeyed from Nevada (bringing someone from Greece who lives in Nevada), England, Long Island (bringing someone from Italy who lives in New York now) and other towns around New Jersey. My mother’s family of seven sisters and brothers (and their children and grandchildren) was well represented. (One brother (far western New Jersey) and two sisters (Florida) stayed in their faraway homes.)

I should mention here that this event is celebrated by my Mom (my Dad died many years ago; his family are not a part of this particular celebration), her kids and her grandkids, and her brothers and sisters and their families, who have all descended from her mother and father, who emigrated from Italy separately to Northern New Jersey around the turn of the last century. Celestina and Victor met and married here. According to my mother, my grandmother came to America from Italy by ship when she was about 19 years old. She cleaned houses and saved her money, and when she had enough saved, she did something I think is quite extraordinary with her money.

She, a relatively poor immigrant girl, bought and donated a stained glass window in St. Ann church in Hoboken, New Jersey.

I never got to meet my grandmother. After having seven children with my grandfather, she died at a fairly young age. And so, I could never ask her why she chose to donate the window. I think I would have loved her answer. Today I wish I could sit with her in her kitchen and make homemade ravioli and have wonderful conversations.

My son was the first one to speak in the circle this year and what he said made me think. He said now he chooses to attend Sunday Mass at St. Ann church in Hoboken, and after Mass he goes to stand by the window for a few minutes. He is always struck by the fact that his great-grandmother’s name appears there, as he has noticed that here and in other churches it is rare to find a woman’s name as donating a window. He then said because of her, we were all gathered here at this celebration. I was moved by those thoughts.

The reading today from Luke’s gospel tells that the shepherds made haste to the manger in Bethlehem. The angel had come to them with “good news of great joy”, that a Savior for all the people had been born in Bethlehem, and that a sign to them would be that they would find the Savior in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes. Luke’s reading tells that the shepherds found the manger in Bethlehem just as the angel had said, and they told everyone what the angel’s message to them was about the child, which amazed everyone who heard the shepherds. After this incredible visit, the shepherds returned to their fields, giving God glory and praise.

The shepherds went back to a lowly existence, glorifying and praising God. Yes, they were able to worship God as Jesus right there in their world. They had seen and heard angels sing and they had been in the actual presence of the Savior of the world. But if we really believe that Jesus is God, and I do, and we believe that He is our Savior, that He alone saved my life, and I do, then we know we too are always in His presence. We should always give God glory and praise, even when we return to a tough existence.

Knowing God’s love for me through the birth and sacrifice of Jesus changed everything in my life. Has that happened for you? I would love to hear about it.

I believe that my grandmother’s window tells many stories. I believe that in thankfulness she gave God the first fruits of her labor here in America. I don’t know the things she prayed for in her life, but her family still gathers every Christmas and all through the year in love, and we give thanks to God for everything He has given.

Glory and praise to God.

Dear God,
Praise and Glory to You alone. You are amazing. Thank You for all You have given me.
In Jesus Precious Name I pray, Amen

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