Holy Day Season

It's the Holiday season! It's the Holiday Season!

So whoop de doo.

Just kidding, I like Christmas and all, but can anyone tell me what Christmas is all about???

"I can ... 'The angel appeared unto them, and the Glory of the Lord shone 'round about them, and they were so afraid.'

"The angel of the Lord said unto them, 'Fear not, for I bring you tidings of great joy, that will be for all nations. Tonight a child is born who is Christ the Lord."

My favorite sweet, sappy Christmas movie is Merry Christmas Charlie Brown because Linus' monologue is amazing and heart-felt.

The true meaning of Christmas for me is found in the name Emmanuel; it means God with us. If you know about the old testament and God's promise to Moses, or His name, then you may understand this already. Way back when, and still today, God called himself I AM. To the Hebrews with Moses, this meant far more than its English translation gives it credit for. It was understood at the time to be a promise - "I will be with you".

Emmanuel means God with us, as I said, so God sends His son to be with us as part of the continual fulfillment of that promise to be with us. Only, in this way, we can truly know and feel God with us.

It's even more phenomenal when you think about when this promise is made in real life. First of all, it permeates our daily lives when we tell others that we'll be there to support them at a recital or game. But more deeply and sincerely and timelessly is the promise that is made in only two of the Catholic Church's sacraments - Marriage (solemn promise to be with each other) and Holy Orders (vow to be with God's people however He plans).

Keep this in mind this Holy Day season as you go about your business. Remember that God is with us today and always, more consistent than any human friend can be.

------------------

I don't know. I think I'm feeling peaceful, or serene.

Hallelujah

Well, I am finally finished with student teaching. I know lately my posts have seemed a bit desperate and all, but I really enjoyed my time at Highlands.

Professionally, this semester has been extremely productive. I have developed my teaching techniques and learned so much about my career. Personally, however, these past few months have been H - E - L - L. Ok, maybe it was not that bad; but I wasn't very happy outside of school.

It's kind of weird. I had fun teaching and being Mr. Fay; I really liked the students (some of them anyway); I spent time with my friends and stayed involved with C!. Despite these positive aspects, I still felt like I was trapped. Since I spent so much time on school stuff and scheduled time for work, C!, and friends, I had no time for me or my personal well-being. I haven't touched my financial statements that have been coming each month; I haven't taken my car to be fixed from the fender-bender in September yet. And so on...

Right now, I need to chill (which thanks to my friends was possible this weekend), get my things in order (especially my room & checking account), and go Christmas shopping.

That's all for now!!

------------------------------

Yippee!! - Only 299 hours till Christmas...