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I've always felt a sense of sadness at Christmas. Starting after Thanksgiving, I listen to a lot of Christmas music, mainly versions of traditional carols. Many of them seemed tinged with sadness. While this is a season of "joy," we need to remember why it is that Jesus was born, and what it took to accomplish and complete his work.

"Many of them seemed tinged with sadness. While this is a season of "joy," we need to remember why it is that Jesus was born, and what it took to accomplish and complete his work."

Well said, thank you.

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Refrain

O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.

Refrain

Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.

Refrain

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

Refrain

Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.

Refrain

"While this is a season of "joy," we need to remember why it is that Jesus was born, and what it took to accomplish and complete his work."

True. Did his momma Mary know the barn was a good place for him to begin. Gorgeous Holy Innocents and reminder of Christ's passion. May your Christmas be full of the grandeur of God's truth, weakness and mission of sacrifice.

Two years ago after Midnight Mass on Christmas, I went to the Nativity scene and while there, had a stark revelation: this baby in the crib contained the Living God Who knows no limits, is Infinite and is Eternal with no boundaries. How can that be? What a profound mystery and it suddenly hit me! I also realized that the word manger is the French verb for "to eat." So, the Birth portends in time the Eucharist which was to come 33 years later as one of His final gifts to us in an Everlasting fruit of His Sacrifice.

Sadness is appropriate. There is a famous work of art that shows a shadow throwing the outline of the cross that traverses the Infant Jesus' body. However, the Nativity is a miracle to ponder with Awesome delight and trembling.

F