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Is There Anyone You Know Who Might Have Been Forgotten This Christmas?
Archdioce of Washington ^ | 12-25-14 | Msgr. Charels Pope

Posted on 12/26/2014 7:23:00 AM PST by Salvation

Is There Anyone You Know Who Might Have Been Forgotten This Christmas?

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

http://blog.adw.org/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2013-12-27-at-8.10.39-PM.png

Christmas is a beautiful time of the year for most of us, most of the time. But it is also true that Christmas can be a very painful time of year for some, especially those who have experienced recent loss or who, for various reasons, have fewer family options at Christmas. Yes, Christmas can be the best of times or the loneliest of times, the most wonderful time of the year or the most painful.

The video below reminds us that Christmas can also be a time to reach out to others who have a hard time experiencing Christmas. Perhaps it is a relative or friend who has lost a spouse this past year and who will be alone for the first time this Christmas. Perhaps it is someone who is left out because his family is far away. Perhaps it is someone who is shy or even a little antisocial. But somewhere under all the grouchiness we see their pain and know that they need some attention at Christmas. I know that I have some sick parishioners who need a special visit this week.

Whatever the reason, there are always those who need to be included, those who for various reasons feel excluded.

In the video, a hare and a bear are fast friends. Unfortunately, the bear always misses Christmas because he is in hibernation. Something inside the hare tells him that Christmas will not be Christmas without his friend, and without his friend being able to experience the joy of Christmas. It occurs to the hare that there is a particular gift that would help his friend the bear to enjoy Christmas, even if only for a moment. And so he gives the gift, which you will see at the end of the video.

I leave it to you to watch the touching conclusion and to ask yourself who the bear is in your life.  Who is it that you need to reach out to in this season of Christmas? For me it was an old family friend that I had lost touch with this past year, and whose mind is beginning to fade with age. She had been good to my father in his dying process, and so I sought her out and we had a nice talk.

How about you? Who is that someone in your life who needs some special attention this Christmas? Christ will surely be pleased if you give the gift of love.



TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; History; Theology
KEYWORDS: catholic; christmas; christmas2014; church; friends; giftoflove; love; msgrcharlespope; others; people
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A cute little story.

Video

1 posted on 12/26/2014 7:23:00 AM PST by Salvation
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To: nickcarraway; NYer; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; ArrogantBustard; Catholicguy; RobbyS; marshmallow; ...

A “Reach Out to Others” Ping!


2 posted on 12/26/2014 7:24:08 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation

So sweet.


3 posted on 12/26/2014 7:35:30 AM PST by defconw (If not now, WHEN?)
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To: Salvation

God Bless you. I just began that outreach with a more or less cloistered hibernating bear. who Id pretty much lost touch with over the past several decades.

Thank you.


4 posted on 12/26/2014 7:45:38 AM PST by MeshugeMikey ("Never, Never, Never, Give Up," Winston Churchill ><>)
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To: Salvation

I always read the day after Christmas about the wonderful outreach people do but it’s too late for this year. I enjoyed fixing a Christmas dinner for 11 people yesterday but I saw a program here in town to provide Christmas dinner for elderly people who are alone. I’m putting that on my calendar for next year. The kiddos can do Christmas dinner.


5 posted on 12/26/2014 8:16:58 AM PST by Mercat (Merry Christmas to all my freeper friends)
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To: Salvation

If people have families they should take care of their families. Ignoring your family to reach out to strangers is not right.

I have two sisters who didn’t even buy their kids presents this year because they were too lazy/busy/distracted/insensitive. These kids are sophomores in high school and in college. I grew up with a lot of idiot activists who spent more time taking care of strangers than taking care of their own families. I devote myself to my family. When they don’t need me, I might seek out total strangers to “help.”


6 posted on 12/26/2014 8:39:27 AM PST by yldstrk (My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: Salvation

My nephew, a neurosurgeon, had a car accident and broke his back and shredded his arm. His 12 year old daughter was killed. This happened on Christmas Eve when they were returning from church. His two sons, wife, and mom who were in the car are alright.

It was a sad Christmas for us.


7 posted on 12/26/2014 9:09:48 AM PST by SaraJohnson
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To: MeshugeMikey

I’m sure you were a blessing to that person.


8 posted on 12/26/2014 9:10:55 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: yldstrk

My kids didn’t get Christmas gifts. Instead they will get an Epiphany gift!


9 posted on 12/26/2014 9:12:27 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: SaraJohnson

Prayers for your nephew and grand niece.


10 posted on 12/26/2014 9:13:25 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation



11 posted on 12/26/2014 9:17:16 AM PST by Bratch
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To: Bratch

Excellent visual.


12 posted on 12/26/2014 9:19:12 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation

Make sure you do it and don’t put it off, they remember.


13 posted on 12/26/2014 9:25:21 AM PST by yldstrk (My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: SaraJohnson

I am so sorry, that is awful. I am praying.


14 posted on 12/26/2014 9:26:11 AM PST by yldstrk (My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: yldstrk

Masses said for my kids and their families.


15 posted on 12/26/2014 9:30:54 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: yldstrk

Thank you.


16 posted on 12/26/2014 9:33:06 AM PST by SaraJohnson
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To: Salvation

***sigh***


17 posted on 12/26/2014 9:49:21 AM PST by envisio (Its on like Donkey Kong!)
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To: Salvation

That’s the best, although maybe meaningless to the grands.


18 posted on 12/26/2014 10:18:04 AM PST by yldstrk (My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: SaraJohnson

How horrible! Prayers up for your nephew and for you and the rest of your family.


19 posted on 12/26/2014 10:29:40 AM PST by Bigg Red (Congress, do your duty and repo his pen and his phone.)
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To: SaraJohnson
I'm sorry to hear of this.

What city or town did the accident occur?

...sometimes details can assist toward specific prayer.

20 posted on 12/26/2014 10:43:15 AM PST by BlueDragon
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