Here comes the sun, do, do, do, do
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s all right.
Beatles – Here Comes the Sun, 1969
Merry Christmas! As we hear in the Gospel Acclamation from our mass this evening, “I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord.” Indeed, here comes the Son!
The four weeks of Advent has prepared us to know the peace of God in our Lord Jesus Christ! We journeyed together with faith, hope, joy, and love! And now we begin the season of Christmas, a season of joy!
This year has been difficult on many people, and we hear it again in this song by the Beatles, it’s been a long cold lonely winter. Our traditions this year are changed, and we are forced to know the poverty of the Holy Family. We get so busy, and though we try hard to prepare for this great celebration of the birth of Our Lord, there is always something missing, or that we forget to do. Here comes the Son, and Fr. Jon says, “it’s all right“. Our first reading at the Mass, from the prophet Isaiah, speaks of how people walked in darkness, but then have seen a great light! Our current reality, with the pandemic, has been a great challenge for many of our brothers and sisters. We seem to going back into darkness with a new lock down starting December 26th, but this is the time of year that our days get longer, that we get extra sunlight! Here comes the sun, … here comes the Son!
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
Prophet Isaiah 9:1-6
The mystery of the Incarnation has changed everything for us! The birth of God in our Lord Jesus Christ, 2000+ years ago, and again today in our hearts, changes everything! Little darling, the smile’s returning to their faces. Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting. God loves us! God loves you, and this Christmas season He is again inviting us to know Him better, to love Him more, to follow Him more closely as missionary-disciples! Here comes the Son. It’s all right! Merry Christmas to you and your families! I continue to pray each and everyone of you! Please continue to keep me in your prayers as well. God Bless you, and Mary protect you!
ps. Thanks to Barb for providing the above picture, stained glass window from St. Finnan’s church of the Mystery of the Incarnation.
pss. thank you to all the wonderful musicians from our North Glengarry Parishes who participated this year in our Advent Concert Series! Every Sunday afternoon I was overwhelmed by joy! It was a pleasure and honour to share the joy of music with you! If you were not there, or missed it online, I invite you now to view and share the wonderful concerts! (see our YouTube channel, or click on one of the links below.)
- 1st Sunday of Advent (November 29th): Neil Emberg, The Caddells & Friends
- 2nd Sunday of Advent (December 6th): St. Finnan’s Junior Choir, Organ music by Elizabeth Caddell, Patricia McRae, St. James Choir
- 3rd Sunday of Advent (December 13th): The Nutt Family, Katie Ditschun, The Leroux Family, Pierre & Nicole Vaillancourt
- 4th Sunday of Advent (December 20th): (Part One & Part Two): Trisha De Coeur & Peter Kolada, Paddy Kelly & Nadeau/Pacauds, and The Campbell Trio
Merry Christmas, and happy Holy New Year! Peace.