Re: Meaning of Christmas

[Guest guest]

Stacie, this is the most heartwarming and wonderful story. It's just what we need to hear at this time of year when the chaos is getting on our nerves and we feel like we'll never get everything done in time. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Pam

Meaning of Christmas

Everyone knows the menaing of Christmas is the celebration of Christ Mass. This being a catholic term put to use for common life and commercialism I never gave it a second thought throughout my life. This year, for me, it feels different. I used to hate Christmas and all of it's commercialism. Many times I refused to celebrate and many times I simply didn't show for Christmas gatherings. It was nausiating to have been raised in a family that never taught me the true meaning of Christmas. Being raised poor in an alcoholic household I knew Christmas to be a time of hardship and trauma. Please don't feel sorry for me, I was just lost.Several months ago I was reading from Dominie's website and I had just got done reading some parts of the bible where Jesus had cured a Demoniac and went on to cure lepers. It struck me funny how much CFS would mimic the symptoms of some of these people he cured who actually were inhabited by demons where it showed itsself as illness and not as a true demonic possession. So I thought I would get smart on it and I called the local catholic church and asked them about it. The girl at the desk who answered immediately transferred me to the Father residing there. He was the most gracious person I think I had ever met. He offerred to come out to my house and interview myself and my family over the issues we were having not just with my illness but with some bumping noises and things levitating. We did have real issues. I was not about to call any of those famous tv shows over it and end up on the tube. I was not wanting fame, just some sleep without noises. This Father who had come out to my house went through my house and told me many different ways to help keep the spirits out of my home. He did not ask for anything in return, and did not ask for us to join the church. Therefore, we asked if we could. At first we weren't sure what we were doing or if it was even the right thing to do. We had always been people who believed that Churches were more commercial than anything and didn't want any part of them.It seemed that the more people we met the more loved we felt. We even went to mass on Sunday's and it was always so loving and brought tears to my eyes. It was like truth coming to life and living a life of lies.Now, I have seen many faces in the church all friendly, gracious, and genuinely caring. They have opened their hearts to us and are guiding us throughout every process to help us get things better in our life. It has been only a few months now since we first started going there and I still cannot believe how much better I feel when I am on church property and around others who are there. The celebrations that lead up to Christmas teach me what Christmas is about.I sat down yesterday and looked at my Christmas tree and I realized that it was different this year. I felt full, I felt like Christmas was no longer commercialized anymore and the truth of love was within me. I was amazed at how that one change in my life made such a big difference.I had read the newsletter this morning and saw the many things regarding God and it made me realize how important this holiday season was for me. It made me realize the true meaning of Christmas and wanted to share. Thanks, Dom for everything.Stacie