Solstice is Wednesday December 21, 2016

Advent- Christmas 2016                                

Happy Advent to you! What a year of surprises! Just as Joseph had to move quickly to protect the holy family, we need to be alert to the needs of families having to leave lands of violence and oppression in our day. It never ends…the need for mercy and love! I am a fan of Pope Francis who issued a new set of Beatitudes. "Blessed are those who remain faithful while enduring evils inflicted on them by others and forgive them from their heart.

"Blessed are those who look into the eyes of the abandoned and marginalized and show them their closeness.

"Blessed are those who see God in every person and strive to make others also discover him.

"Blessed are those who protect and care for our common home.

"Blessed are those who renounce their own comfort in order to help others.

"Blessed are those who pray and work for full communion between Christians."

"All these are messengers of God's mercy and tenderness," Pope Francis said. "Surely they will receive from him their merited reward."

 I am  thankful for the blessings of good health and happiness in my life.

Have a blessed Christmas and happy new year!