MERRY CHRISTMAS!
We come together in prayer, sharing the beautiful mysteries of the Christmas Season. We look to the Holy Family as a sign and image of how we allow God to be the center and the focus of our lives. May all of us strive to make God the center and the focus of our lives, if we are part of a family, single, a widow, or widower.
While visiting the Cenacle Retreat House, sponsored by the Cenacle Sisters, I picked up a 
pamphlet titled "The Legend of the Poinsettia." It has the following bit of information about the flower that is central to many of our Christmas celebrations.
"At the door of an adobe hut in Mexico a little girl was weeping as though her heart would break. She was a very poor little girl and her name was Aleta. She was weeping because Christmas was at hand and she had nothing with which to show her love for the Christ Child. She knew that all the people would come to the nearby church on Christmas Eve bringing flowers to place around the crib which had been built upon the altar.
As she stood with tears blinding her eyes, an angel appeared by her side and said, "Why are you crying, little girl?"
Surprised, Aleta said, "Because I have nothing to give the Christ Child on Christmas Eve to show how much I love Him."
"Gather an armful of these weeds by the roadside," said the angel, "and when you come to the altar, place them by the crib."
"Oh!" exclaimed Aleta, "I do not wish to place weeds among the lovely flowers that will be at the altar."
"Do as I say," said the angel, "and the Christ Child will know that you love Him." Aleta smiled and did as the angel said.
The church was ablaze with light on Christmas Eve and Aleta came with an armful of the weeds. She gently made her way through the throng that filled the church. She placed the weeds among the flowers and bowed her head in silent adoration. A gasp of delight came from every part of the church and Aleta raised her eyes. To her astonishment, the weeds she had placed on the altar had turned the most beautiful shade of scarlet.
Ever since, these flowers have been known as the poinsettia, the Christmas flower."
~ Author unknown
Some legends attributed to the beautiful flower state that the shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought of as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem, which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ. The white leaves represent his purity. Perhaps you have heard of similar legends as well.
Parishioners, out of town family members, neighbors, and guests have celebrated Christmas in our beautiful church. Thanks to the ministry of our Art and Environment committee, thanks to the generosity of Lake Forest Flowers, John Looby and Eileen Weber, thanks to Bill Gorczynski and Les Adamiec and the maintenance staff for all they did to help us worship and celebrate Jesus birth.
The beauty of our church lifts our spirits but the quality of our worship is dependent on the dedication and faith of people of all ages, in the pews as well as in the many liturgical roles. Thanks to John Chapman, our Music Director, the Choir, and our Cantors for all the beautiful uplifting music, and to the Lectors and Ushers, our Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers, and to all who welcomed Jesus, Our Savior, with joy this Christmas! You are encouraged to let me or one of the Parish Staff know if you would be interested in getting involved, trained to join the list of dedicated and faithful parishioners involved in liturgy at St. Mary's!
Thank you to everyone who has supported the parish with contributions to the Church of St. Mary, in the regular Sunday offertory this past year, at Christmas, as well as with an end of the year contribution. God bless you for your generous support of the parish and the ministries that share the truth of Emmanuel, God is with us!
God bless you with a joyous heart this Christmas!!!
